MATERIALISM

noun Date: 1733 1. a theory that physical matter is the only or fundamental reality and that all being and processes and phenomena can be explained as manifestations or results of matter, a doctrine that the only or the highest values or objectives lie in material well-being and in the furtherance of material progress, a doctrine that economic or social change is materially caused, a preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things, materialist noun or adjective materialistic adjective materialistically adverb