Materialism facts for kids

Materialism is a way of thinking that says everything in the world is made of material or physical stuff. This means that there are no other kinds of things that exist, like spirits or magical forces. Everything you see, touch, or even think about is believed to come from physical matter.

For example, your thoughts and feelings, which aren't physical themselves, are seen as results of what your brain (which is physical) does. So, in materialism, the only real things are physical things. A similar idea is called Physicalism.

What Materialists Believe

People who believe in materialism are called materialists. They usually do not believe in gods or other supernatural beings. A materialist thinks that the idea of a spirit or soul is either not real, or cannot be proven by science.

Because of this, materialists are also often atheists, meaning they do not believe in a god. However, it's important to know that not all atheists are materialists.

Materialism and Science

In modern times, the idea of materialism has grown to include other basic things that science has discovered. This includes things like energy, forces (like pushing or pulling), and even the way space can bend.

Scientists know that matter and energy can change into each other. Many things, like gravity, are caused by matter. So, materialism tries to explain everything in the universe using only physical things and the laws of science.

Where Did Materialism Come From?

The idea of materialism is very old. It started with some of the first ancient Greek philosophers. Thinkers like Thales, Epicurus, and Lucretius were some of the early people who thought this way. Similar ideas also appeared in other ancient cultures around the world.

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  In 1748, French doctor and philosopher La Mettrie wrote a book called L'Homme Machine. In it, he suggested that the human soul could be understood in a materialistic way, like a machine.

See also

In Spanish: Materialismo para niños