« Ch.V. Q.33. Atheism | Main | Ch.V. Q.35. Polytheism and Dualism »

July 28, 2005

Ch.V. Q.34. Materialism

"MATERIALISM is that system which ignores the distinction between matter and mind, and refers all the phenomena of the world, whether physical, vital, or mental, to the functions of matter."1

2. Materialism was first systematized by Epicurus (342-271 B.C.), and modern Materialism has not advanced beyond his position. He taught that (a) ex nihilo nihil fit, and the universe is without beginning or end; (b) space and the number of bodies in it are infinite; (c) matter is made up of atoms, which are simple, invisible, and indivisible; (d) these atoms are endowed with forces in addition to gravity; (e) the amount of matter and force is always the same; (f) atoms are in perpetual motion, and their combinations form the cosmos; (g) the soul is material and mortal, passing into other combinations with the dissolution of the body; (h) sensation is the only source of knowledge; (i) nothing is immaterial except a vacuum.2

3. Materialism cannot be true unless the following teachings can be accepted: (a) that God is corporeal;3 (b) that the soul is mortal;4 (c) that life is fatalistic, a matter of natural and necessary process simply;5 (d) that there is no moral obligation. Conduct should be ruled by science— e.g., the fittest should survive. Hospitals are a mistake.6 The recent trend of natural scientists is destructive of Materialism. Psychical phenomena are being studied closely, and are seen to be unaccountable on materialistic grounds. A more searching analysis of matter has produced the conviction that it does not contain a sufficient ground for its own phenomena.

4. Positivism, which is primarily a theory of knowledge, is in effect closely related to Materialism. As formulated by Auguste Comte (1798-1857), it asserts that no knowledge is possible which does not come through the external senses, and that nothing is or can be known except phenomena and their laws. The ideas of causality and design cannot be established and Theology is a delusion.7

5. Positivism is Materialistic, but in being so, is inconsistent; for, if our knowledge is confined to phenomena, how is it possible to assert anything as to what underlies phenomena—that it is material, or spiritual, or anything at all.8 Furthermore, we are not warranted in calling all phenomena material. We have a knowledge of internal phenomena, such as thinking, feeling, and willing, which is as certain as any portion of our knowledge. Phenomenally speaking—i.e., apparently—these are not material phenomena but spiritual, and to say otherwise is to assert more than mere phenomenalism justifies.9

6. Positivism leads logically to scepticism. To be consistent it must repudiate, not only all theistic belief, but also, belief in any thing beyond mere appearances. That these appearances have any real or permanent basis, or any other foundation than subjective delusion, is impossible for a consistent Positivist to assert.10

7. Naturalism is the name of a common form of current Materialism, which views all reality as accounted for by the laws of matter and force, the results of these laws being subject to precise mechanical measure. Obviously the phenomena of mind and conscience do not lend themselves to such explanation or measure; and the exactitude of mechanical laws is open to question.11



1 Flint, Anti-Theistic Theories, Lecs. ii.-iv.; Christlieb, Modern Doubt, pp. 145-161; Tulloch, Modern Theories, pp. 125-168; Hodge, Syst. Theol., Vol. I., pp. 246-299; Liddon, Some Elements, pp. 43-48; Wilkinson, in Present Day Tracts, xvii.; Fraser, Philos. of Theism, pp. 43-61; Bruce, Apologetics, Bk. I., ch. iv.

2 Hodge, pp. 246, 247.

3 St. Thos., Summa, I., iii. 1.

4 Strong, Syst. Theol., pp. 555-562.

5 Fisher, Grounds of Belief, pp. 3-18.

6 Flint, pp. 500-504.

7 Flint, Lec. V., esp. pp. 180-190; Liddon, pp. 46-48; Tulloch, pp. 3-88; Didon, Science Without God, Disc. I.

8 Flint, pp. 180, 181.

9 Flint, pp. 181-184.

10 Flint, pp. 184-190.

11 Ward, Naturalism, etc., considers the precision of mechanical laws at length. Balfour, Foundations of Belief, attacks the philosophic basis of Naturalism.

Posted by Debra Bullock at July 28, 2005 04:44 PM

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://disseminary.org/mt/mt-tb.cgi/481

Comments