immaterialism

American  

[im-uh-teer-ee-uh-liz-uhm] / ˌɪm əˈtɪər i əˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. the doctrine that there is no material world, but that all things exist only in and for minds.

2. the doctrine that only immaterial substances or spiritual beings exist.

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immaterialism British  

/ ˌɪməˈtɪərɪəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the doctrine that the material world exists only in the mind

2. the doctrine that only immaterial substances or spiritual beings exist See also idealism

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• immaterialist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of immaterialism

1705–15; immaterial + -ism, modeled on materialism

Explanation

If the philosophy of immaterialism is true, then the screen you're reading this on is not really there. Neither is chocolate, which seems like a huge loss — but if you can still enjoy its taste, scent, and smoothness, what's the difference? A philosopher named George Berkeley came up with the idea of immaterialism in the early 1700s. He was concerned that previous philosophers assumed the existence of physical objects outside of our minds, but nobody could actually prove it. All we have to go on, he said, is our perception of things, so why not say that these so-called physical objects are just our perceptions? What is chocolate, apart from someone's mind perceiving a certain taste, color, weight, and texture? Nothing, according to Berkeley.

Example Sentences

As a balance, therefore, to this weight of prejudice, let us throw into the scale the great advantages that arise from the belief of Immaterialism, both in regard to religion and human learning.

From Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous by Berkeley, George

You tell me indeed of a repugnancy between the Mosaic history and Immaterialism: but you know not where it lies.

From Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous by Berkeley, George