The difference between Idealism and Materialism
Most people can’t clearly distinguish Idealism from Materialism. Well, in simple terms, Idealism is a philosophical term that stipulates an idea precedes the matter that means the existence of matter depends on the idea existence. On the other hand; Materialism specifies that a matter precedes the concept that implies the presence of the idea is because of the matter. Materialism in philosophy asserts that all things can be described in respect of the matter, or the concept that wealth and goods are the most valuable things. For instance, relating love to material things such that one would value their new phone over friendship. In addition to these, Idealism is having a strong belief and confidence in pursuing a vision. For instance, it believes in saving the world. This article’s paper will illustrate the critical difference between the two philosophical terms and how they relate to modern science.
Materialist philosophy stresses that its primary objective is neither the Idealism nor the idea but rather the physical world. It emphasizes society’s material condition and the daily ways of life. Materialism does not give credit to anything that is past the physical world. This means Materialism does not factor in the aspect of supernatural forces or phenomena and divinities. The critics of this philosophy that is the idealists mention that it’s only the mind, thoughts, ideas, and spirit that are primary, physical. The natural world is coming after hence secondary. The natural world emanates from the senses, ideas, and consciousness. In simple words, a thought comes first, and out of it emerges the physical world. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Practically, Materialism is a remonstration against Idealism. It’s a blueprint to action and actual life. Materialism facilitates the understanding of the social nature, its development, and its functions. It, however, does not touch on the heavenly pleasure and happiness. Man is taught to be more practical since any significant change in society is a result of the efforts of humans and not the supernatural power whims. Materialist, therefore, argues that; that everything in the community depends on man for he is the sole determiner. However, idealist does not buy this concept; instead, the man cannot determine the activities of the physical world; instead, the spirits are in control of deciding these movements. Idealism puts many praises on death and life after death, whereby it holds that the external world is not the only reality being the ideal or the spirit.
Materialism advocates usually forge for a bright and better future; Materialism is characterized by optimism. On the other hand, proponents of Idealism maintain that Materialism has no place for morality, value judgment, and ethics. Idealism further emphasizes the essence of not overlying on science since science deals with world realities, yet the truth is beyond the real world. The idealists suggest that science and technology cannot solve everything in this world; instead, humankind can be saved from their sufferings and sorrows by a faith regeneration that comes from a heavenly force.
Relationship of Idealism to modern science.
Most people think that Idealism is dead majority of them being individuals of humane sentiments who do not hold their belief willingly somewhat under compulsion. They believe that facts force them to agree with this view, whether it is true or not—science as termed as an enemy of Idealism. To begin with, idealists suggest that in all culture stages and ages, perfect imaginary life conditions have been the most captivating basis with humanity. Imaginations of great philosophers and religions have been close heart, but due to the emergence of modern science, all that seemed to fade quickly.
Idealists continue to argue that, with the emergence of modern science, man can gratify neither a single desire nor a unique need from a single idea or think a single thought without looking for assistance from some material. This illustrates that modernists can’t live the life of traditional idealists even for a day. Also, Idealism maintains that modern science has brought much hostility to them, for it has spared neither morality nor religion.
Other Philosophers have come in strongly with the idea that idealists cannot be effective without some input from modern science. Well, having a plan is one thing, and acting upon it is another thing. An idea is a desire to achieve something or aimed at something. The adage “Nothing existeth to itself alone” is authentic as to thoughts. For something to exist, many things have must be considered. Therefore modern science and Idealism possess some mutual dependence on ideas to create idealists. Thus we can conclude that scientists are essential in actualizing ideas from the idealists. The only difference between a scientific investigator and the common man is the technical knowledge from the common understanding. The result of this is that science is not only idealistic but also marks natural Idealism.
In Christian theology, Idealism is pseudo- idealism. They are dramaturgical or mythical Idealism. Most of its powers have been stripped. If indeed science aims to benefit, it has brought more calamity by standing in the way of man. How is it possible that science which man developed to benefit from is causing more harm than benefits?
Relationship of Materialism with modern science.
Modern scientific concepts and Materialism have very close relations such that philosophers are arguing scientists to move on from Materialism. Werner Heisenberg, the founder of quantum physics, observed that there was a possibility of dividing history into periods, which was a bone of contention then. He argued that quantum physics brought Materialism to an end. We are living in the 21st century, but it seems we still have that rigid and narrow perception of things. Just as Materialism, philosopher’s term science to be an act of faith. Both science and Materialism exist as potentialities but not as facts or objects, yet Materialism has portrayed persistence. Although other philosophers have vehemently opposed the idea that Materialism cannot be a substitute for modern science, there is some interrelation between the two aspects.
Other scientists have proposed that science has isolated itself from Materialism, thus terming the Marxist thinking method as becoming unscientific and loose. This scientific isolation has been a challenge, especially with the emergence of new things in the universe that science has failed to deal with them. Still, from the human perspective, it is essential to have the ability to deal with things as they occur naturally. Therefore, it is allowed for some restrictions from the use of scientific methods. However, it is not right to say that outside science, the human mind is helpless; that is, if the scientific method fails, rationalism can is applicable.
The concept of Materialism detaches science from an ideal position and attaches dome importance to it in terms of Social development and economics. Modern science over the past centuries has resulted in reducing the work of God or gods. With evolution, the essence of unique creation was done away with but still believed that the ultimate creator must have had an impact on the creation process.
The best methodology of diverting people’s minds from Materialism is by employing capitalism. Capitalists are well aware that if people’s minds become too materialistic, the true nature of capitalism would be open to then resulting in capitalist exploitation, thus start to put their account on Idealism and worldly things.
In conclusion, both Idealism and Materialism are different concepts in philosophy. Most philosophers have come up with theories and ideas to try elaborating these concepts, such as the Marxism theory. On the same note, the emergence of science and technology has had more considerable influences on both Materialism and Idealism, some being positive others negative.