The fundamental absurdity of materialism is that it starts…
““The fundamental absurdity of materialism is that it starts from the objective, and takes as the ultimate ground of explanation something objective, whether it be matter in the abstract, simply as it is thought, or after it has taken form, is empirically given - that is to say, is substance, the chemical element with its primary relations. Some such thing it takes, as existing absolutely and in itself, in order that it may evolve organic nature and finally the knowing subject from it, and explain them adequately by means of it; whereas in truth all that is objective is already determined as such in manifold ways by the knowing subject through its forms of knowing, and presupposes them; and consequently it entirely disappears if we think the subject away. Thus materialism is the attempt to explain what is immediately given us by what is given us indirectly.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Materialism tries to explain reality using only objective facts, but this ignores the subjective role of consciousness in shaping perception.
In simple terms: Materialism ignores consciousness in explaining reality.
Key Takeaway
Recognize both objective and subjective aspects.
Themes
materialism
consciousness
philosophy
subjectivity
epistemology
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- academic lectures
- debates
- writing
- teaching
Key Concepts
ontology
mind‑body problem
perception
scientific method
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance objective data with personal experience?
- Can consciousness be fully explained scientifically?
A Different Perspective
Subjective experience may be dismissed as bias.