Materialism
Summary
Materialism is the philosophical doctrine that matter is the only reality and that all phenomena, including thought and consciousness, can be explained by material causes alone.
☩Definition
Materialism is the philosophical system that considers matter as the fundamental principle of all things, consequently denying the independence and autonomy of the spirit. It holds that what is called the soul is nothing but an aggregation of material particles subject to the laws governing matter, and must therefore perish when these particles are sundered at death. If materialism is true, there can be no intelligent and personal Creator, creation itself becomes inconceivable, and moral relations—which give Christian theology all its significance—are rendered meaningless.
☩Historical Development
Materialism was systematically developed by the Greek Atomists, particularly Democritus, who taught that everything results from the combination of atoms separated by empty space. Epicurus elaborated this system, asserting that only bodies and void exist, and that the soul consists of fine, round, mobile atoms dispersed at death. The Roman poet Lucretius gave poetic expression to these views in his work 'De rerum natura.' Among the Jews, the Sadducees denied the existence of angels, spirits, or afterlife, though without elaborate philosophical justification. In modern times, materialism flourished in eighteenth-century France through thinkers like La Mettrie and Baron Holbach, who sought to explain all phenomena through matter and motion.
☩Christian Response
Christian philosophy has necessarily been anti-materialistic, and with good reason. Wollaston's classic argument demonstrates that thinking cannot arise from matter's size, figure, texture, or motion, because these modifications produce only physical changes—greater or less, round or square, dense or rare—which are entirely different from the idea of thinking. The soul's power to move the body spontaneously, to act from internal principle, to choose freely, and to respond to arguments and reasons rather than mechanical forces, all indicate an active being fundamentally unlike passive, dead matter. If matter could think merely by modification, all matter would have to think, since substance does not differ between particles—yet this contradicts all experience. Christianity reared a mighty dam against materialism, recognizing that its assumptions are fatal to any doctrine of God, the soul, moral responsibility, or hope beyond death.
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Materialism," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Richard Watson, "Materialism," in A Biblical and Theological Dictionary (John Mason, 1831).
- 3.Charles G. Herbermann et al. (ed.), "Materialism," in The Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. X (Robert Appleton Company, 1907–1912).