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The [[philosophy]] of '''materialism''' holds that the only thing that can be truly proven to [[existence|exist]] is [[matter]], and is considered a form of physicalism. Fundamentally, all [[things]] are composed of ''material'' and all [[phenomena]] (including [[consciousness]]) are the result of material interactions; therefore, [[matter]] is the only substance. As a theory, materialism belongs to the class of [[Monist|monist]] ontology. As such, it is different from ontological theories based on [[dualism]] or [[pluralism]]. For singular explanations of the phenomenal [[reality]], materialism would be in contrast to [[idealism]].

The [[philosophy]] of '''materialism''' holds that the only thing that can be truly proven to [[existence|exist]] is [[matter]], and is considered a form of physicalism. Fundamentally, all [[things]] are composed of ''material'' and all [[phenomena]] (including [[consciousness]]) are the result of material interactions; therefore, [[matter]] is the only substance. As a theory, materialism belongs to the class of [[Monist|monist]] ontology. As such, it is different from ontological theories based on [[dualism]] or [[pluralism]]. For singular explanations of the phenomenal [[reality]], materialism would be in contrast to [[idealism]].

 

==Overview==

==Overview==

The view is perhaps best understood in its opposition to the doctrines of immaterial substance applied to the mind historically, famously by [[René Descartes]]. However, by itself materialism says nothing about how material substance should be characterized. In practice it is frequently assimilated to one variety of physicalism or another.

The view is perhaps best understood in its opposition to the doctrines of immaterial substance applied to the mind historically, famously by [[René Descartes]]. However, by itself materialism says nothing about how material substance should be characterized. In practice it is frequently assimilated to one variety of physicalism or another.