virus: materialism and other worldviews

Robin Faichney (robin@faichney.demon.co.uk)
Wed, 17 Feb 1999 08:59:49 +0000

Seems to me like most if not all "one worldview" people are materialists. To be a materialist, however, and to operate as a social animal, involve different worldviews. In one there is nothing but matter, or objects. In the other, there are also subjects, entities that are aware of objects. The subject is not material -- if you disagree, tell me where in the brain (or elsewhere) it is found. Of course, it's not supernatural, or immaterial, either. But it does show up the inadequacy of materialism. As does information, which is neither matter, nor supernatural, either.

There is no need to enumerate basic kinds of stuff. To say that there is only one, which is matter, is just to react against dualism (two kinds) or idealism (one kind, but it's not matter). Stop reacting, and start thinking: does "basic kinds of stuff" actually mean anything? If so, I'd be interested to learn what.
--

Robin