materialism
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materialism
An attitude to life in which material possessions, wealth, and external values are seen as the most important things. The term is often used negatively.
Kritiker werfen der modernen Gesellschaft einen übertriebenen Materialismus vor.
Critics accuse modern society of excessive materialism.
materialism
A philosophical doctrine that assumes all reality can be traced back to matter and its laws, and that regards mental phenomena as their product.
Im Philosophieunterricht diskutierten wir die Thesen des dialektischen Materialismus.
In philosophy class, we discussed the theses of dialectical materialism.
The ending '-ismus' (-ism) indicates a worldview, a doctrine, or an attitude to life. When you see this ending, it is often about a system of ideas or beliefs.
Der Kapitalismus ist ein Wirtschaftssystem, das auf Privateigentum basiert.
Capitalism is an economic system based on private property.
The word family includes the adjective 'materialistisch' (materialistic), as in 'eine materialistische Einstellung' (a materialistic attitude), and the person 'der Materialist' (male materialist) or 'die Materialistin' (female materialist).
Er führt einen sehr materialistischen Lebensstil.
He leads a very materialistic lifestyle.
You can recognize the meaning from context. If it is about criticism of consumption and society, the attitude to life is meant. In texts about philosophy or science, the philosophical doctrine is meant, often with additions like 'dialektisch' (dialectical) or 'historisch' (historical).
Seine Kritik am Materialismus der westlichen Welt ist sehr deutlich.
His criticism of the materialism of the Western world is very clear.
