--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Materialism means simply the denial that…" description: "\"Materialism means simply the denial that the moral order is eternal, and the cutting off of ultimate hopes; spiritualism means theaffirmation of an ete..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/970/william-james-228_cutting_materialism-means-simply-the-denial-that_2338408.png" --- # Materialism means simply the denial that the moral order… ![“Materialism means simply the denial that the moral order is eternal, and the cutting off of ultimate hopes; spiritualism means theaffirmation of an eternal moral order and the letting loose of hope.” quote by William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/970/william-james-228_cutting_materialism-means-simply-the-denial-that_2338408.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/970/william-james-228_cutting_materialism-means-simply-the-denial-that_2338408.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/970/william-james-228_cutting_materialism-means-simply-the-denial-that_2338408.png) > “Materialism means simply the denial that the moral order is eternal, and the cutting off of ultimate hopes; spiritualism means theaffirmation of an eternal moral order and the letting loose of hope.” [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. James contrasts materialism, which denies eternal moral order, with spiritualism, which affirms it and sustains hope. **In simple terms:** Materialism rejects moral eternity; spiritualism embraces it and hope. Key Takeaway Recognize the role of hope in moral frameworks. Themes philosophy ethics hope Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical ethical inspirational When to use this quote - personal belief systems - ethical debates - psychological counseling - religious discourse Key Concepts Materialism Spiritualism Moral ontology Questions to Reflect On - Do you find hope essential for moral action? - Can materialism coexist with moral values? A Different Perspective Spiritualism may overlook material realities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cutting off](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cutting-off/) [Denial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/denial/) [Eternal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Materialism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/materialism/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spiritualism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritualism/) [Theism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theism/) ## Related quotes > [ “The real distinction between a material and spiritual worldview, \[William\] James wrote does not rest in "hair splitting abstraction about matter's inner essence, or… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-bradley-hagerty/the-real-distinction-between-a-material-and-spiritual-worldview/) [Barbara Bradley Hagerty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-bradley-hagerty/) > [“Left-wing ideas are predicated on Marx’s materialist understanding. 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