Materialism
/məˈtɪə.ri.əl.ɪ.zəm/noun
The belief that only physical matter exists and that spiritual or supernatural realms are illusions.
Did you know?Materialism has roots in ancient philosophies that regarded the physical world as the only reality, sometimes dismissing the spiritual as mere illusion.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mater
“mother, source, or origin”
Latin
Latin
materia
“substance, matter, timber, or the stuff of things”
Late Latin
Late Latin
materialis
“of matter, corporeal, or pertaining to physical substance”
16th Century
English
materialism
“doctrine that matter is the fundamental substance in nature”
20th Century
English
materialism
“philosophical stance prioritizing material possessions and physical comfort over spiritual values”