Are you a materialist?

[krash]

Materialism is a philosophy that is based on the following foundational principle

A thing is said to exist if,
1. It can be directly observed by our senses OR
2. It's existence can be logically deduced from direct observation by our senses
Anything that doesn't meet the above criteria cannot be considered as existing.

Are you a materialist? Do you agree with the above principle?

If not, how do you refute it?

[Bobby1]

Up until very recently there was no proof of gravitational waves, it is theorised that there are multiple universes, light can bend etc. Hawkings had asserted that it is beyond the capacity of a human brain to understand the universe.

[krash]

Materialists don't claim that they understand all the phenomena or will one day understand them all. They claim that if anything is understood it will only be in materialistic terms.

[a7mado]

Materialism is a philosophy that is based on the following foundational principle

A thing is said to exist if,
1. It can be directly observed by our senses
2. It's existence can be logically deduced from direct observation by our senses
Anything that doesn't meet the above criteria cannot be considered as existing.

Are you a materialist? Do you agree with the above principle?

If not, how do you refute it?

I'd argue that consciousness does not meet both of the criteria's mentioned above, in the sense that we cannot directly observe it on any level, just the actions that result from having a consciousness, and yet it seems to be a scientifically proven fact.

Taking that into consideration, I would say that I am not a materialist. However, I'm no expert.

[krash]

But, can you logically deduce the existence of consciousness from actions that result from having a consciousness?

[a7mado]

Because at the end of the day, consequences have to be attributed to something, right?

[Bobby1]

krash thanks for your comment in light of that I can say I maybe a materialist. In regards to consciousness it is all billions of electrical circuits and chemicals and it is very conceivable that a human consciousness can be downloaded on a computer

[SID_NY]

I beg to differ with the given definition. This looks more like realistic may be? unless i had a different defo in mind. Looks complicated either way

[krash]

What is your definition of a materialist?

[LP]

Nopes, not a materialist.

[SindSagar]

Have you ever had a dream or vision about something, only for that vision to later come true? (I Have) So I believe it is not all about Materials ; there are a lot things happen that No one can explain!

Have you ever been accused of reading someone else's thoughts? Or have you ever known something about the past that you couldn't have possibly experienced or lived through? If so, then you may just have extrasensory perception.

Extrasensory perception (ESP) refers to the ability to obtain information about the world around you without using the normal five senses of sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell. The basic assumption behind extrasensory perception is that humans can experience things that go beyond the capabilities of the known senses. The term extrasensory perception was popularized by Joseph Banks Rhine in 1934. Rhine, a professor at Duke University at the time, conducted several experiments that he believed proved the existence of extrasensory perception, though many scientists have challenged his findings and methods. Not all people believe that extrasensory perception exists.

[SID_NY]

Ok dont throw eggs but in my mind a materialist is the one who evaluates everything on its net market value. Like the one who doesnt care about emotions or intangible things (again since these have no market value).

[LP]

Ok dont throw eggs but in my mind a materialist is the one who evaluates everything on its net market value. Like the one who doesnt care about emotions or intangible things (again since these have no market value).

Krash was asking from a philosophical perspective.

[krash]

Yes. Exactly. Thanks LP

[SID_NY]

Aah, see we both are right. I had a non-philosophical defo in mind

[krash]

Nopes, not a materialist.

So, what is your refutation?

[Bobby1]

Could people who are religious be materialist? Some believe pandemic is because of homosexuality?

[LP]

Could people who are religious be materialist?

I don't think so because in most religions we believe in a God who is not observable by our senses.

[krash]

I agree. However, there are also people who have turned materialism into a pseudo-religion

[LP]

krash , that's kinda true too

[Bobby1]

I don't think so because in most religions we believe in a God who is not observable by our senses.

In case of faith it is not only limited to believing in in observable things but actively denying observable things, there is undeniable evidence of evolution and yet in order to maintain faith many have to deny it. Many other facts.

[krash]

In case of faith it is not only limited to believing in in observable things but actively denying observable things, there is undeniable evidence of evolution and yet in order to maintain faith many have to deny it. Many other facts.

This is true. Many people of faith deny observable facts. Many also insist that the non-material reality they believe in is also observable similar to material reality ("supernatural materialism").
I think this is not true faith. This is a distortion of faith ("Aiteqaad"). Domain of true faith is reality that is not directly observable (or logically deducible from direct observation) but can be known in other ways.

[LP]

In case of faith it is not only limited to believing in in observable things but actively denying observable things, there is undeniable evidence of evolution and yet in order to maintain faith many have to deny it. Many other facts.

I won't dissect the post and respond. All I'll say is, to each his own.