The human race is materialistic.

Buddhists, dood. Buddhists.

 

Not materialist in the least. Materialism is empty. If you are part of the human race, no matter what, it is a flaw of morality, you will somewhat materialistic. Define somewhat materialistic?

 

And I disagree wholeheartedly. Most truly happy people I find are doing a job where they don't get riches, but have enough to live on and support their family (I'm going off two college professors who I can say are truly happy without a shadow of as doubt). One of them even makes a lot of money on the side but is still driving a peice of crap 80's Honda which he loves to death (when he went to work for his boss, the guy commented on his car and said he'd be drivbing a Jaguar in a year and the guy responded with, "Buddy, I don't need a Jaguar. I'm driving the Jaguar, up here," and pointed to his head. Classic Hiltbrunner).

 

Anyways, back to the point at hand: define "somewhat" materialistic?

 

I mean, sending your kids to college is important, you'll save. If going to football games is important, you'll save. I buy comic books. Does that make me materialistic because I like to read stories about heroes? Does it make me materialist because I buy books as opposed to going to the library?

 

Define...

ma?te?ri?al?ism ( P ) Pronunciation Key (m-t?r--lzm)

n.

Philosophy. The theory that physical matter is the only reality and that everything, including thought, feeling, mind, and will, can be explained in terms of matter and physical phenomena.

The theory or attitude that physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life.

A great or excessive regard for worldly concerns.

Hey, genius, I want your definition, not Websters.

 

Be original. What that word means according to a dictionary doesn't necessarily define YOUR meaning of materialistic. Especially since you had to look it up.

 

Look up prapanca. No wait, don't... It's the meaningful conceptualization of the world through language. So, basically, I say a conceptual word (like materialistic), it goes to your ear and into your brain and you form your own working definition of that word based on your experience.

 

Now, you try...

Hey, genius, I want your definition, not Websters.

 

Be original. What that word means according to a dictionary doesn't necessarily define YOUR meaning of materialistic. Especially since you had to look it up.

 

Look up prapanca. No wait, don't... It's the meaningful conceptualization of the world through language. So, basically, I say a conceptual word (like materialistic), it goes to your ear and into your brain and you form your own working definition of that word based on your experience.

 

Now, you try...

you are not arguing with me directly. just gave you a definition that is listed for an objective reference.

 

I consider someone to be materialistic when they wish to improve their quality of life with an earthly possession that is not living.

 

you need to take the chip off your shoulder.

Hey, genius, I want your definition, not Websters.

 

Be original. What that word means according to a dictionary doesn't necessarily define YOUR meaning of materialistic. Especially since you had to look it up.

 

Look up prapanca. No wait, don't... It's the meaningful conceptualization of the world through language. So, basically, I say a conceptual word (like materialistic), it goes to your ear and into your brain and you form your own working definition of that word based on your experience.

 

Now, you try...

you are not arguing with me directly. just gave you a definition that is listed for an objective reference.

 

I consider someone to be materialistic when they wish to improve their quality of life with an earthly possession that is not living.

 

you need to take the chip off your shoulder. So anytime someone wants to buy something that's not living to improve their life they're being materialistic?

 

Even if it's pants for their kids. Diapers for a baby?

 

There are material things and there are necessities. Big difference between a shirt on your back and a 250 dollar throwback.

 

No chip. Just seeing where you're coming from, since the human race is so "materialistic." There are definitely a lot of monks, people who do charity work and humanitarians who would object to what you're saying. I'd just agree with them.

Hey, genius, I want your definition, not Websters.

 

Be original.? What that word means according to a dictionary doesn't necessarily define YOUR meaning of materialistic.? Especially since you had to look it up.

 

Look up prapanca.? No wait, don't...? It's the meaningful conceptualization of the world through language.? So, basically, I say a conceptual word (like materialistic), it goes to your ear and into your brain and you form your own working definition of that word based on your experience.

 

Now, you try...

you are not arguing with me directly. just gave you a definition that is listed for an objective reference.

 

I consider someone to be materialistic when they wish to improve their quality of life with an earthly possession that is not living.

 

you need to take the chip off your shoulder. So anytime someone wants to buy something that's not living to improve their life they're being materialistic?

 

Even if it's pants for their kids. Diapers for a baby?

 

There are material things and there are necessities. Big difference between a shirt on your back and a 250 dollar throwback.

 

No chip. Just seeing where you're coming from, since the human race is so "materialistic." There are definitely a lot of monks, people who do charity work and humanitarians who would object to what you're saying. I'd just agree with them. yes, but the pope said we are being over materialistic. I just don't see it compared to other countries in our quality of life range.

Hey, genius, I want your definition, not Websters.

 

Be original.? What that word means according to a dictionary doesn't necessarily define YOUR meaning of materialistic.? Especially since you had to look it up.

 

Look up prapanca.? No wait, don't...? It's the meaningful conceptualization of the world through language.? So, basically, I say a conceptual word (like materialistic), it goes to your ear and into your brain and you form your own working definition of that word based on your experience.

 

Now, you try...

you are not arguing with me directly. just gave you a definition that is listed for an objective reference.

 

I consider someone to be materialistic when they wish to improve their quality of life with an earthly possession that is not living.

 

you need to take the chip off your shoulder. So anytime someone wants to buy something that's not living to improve their life they're being materialistic?

 

Even if it's pants for their kids. Diapers for a baby?

 

There are material things and there are necessities. Big difference between a shirt on your back and a 250 dollar throwback.

 

No chip. Just seeing where you're coming from, since the human race is so "materialistic." There are definitely a lot of monks, people who do charity work and humanitarians who would object to what you're saying. I'd just agree with them. yes, but the pope said we are being over materialistic. I just don't see it compared to other countries in our quality of life range. Well, how many other countries have you been to?

Hey, genius, I want your definition, not Websters.

 

Be original.? What that word means according to a dictionary doesn't necessarily define YOUR meaning of materialistic.? Especially since you had to look it up.

 

Look up prapanca.? No wait, don't...? It's the meaningful conceptualization of the world through language.? So, basically, I say a conceptual word (like materialistic), it goes to your ear and into your brain and you form your own working definition of that word based on your experience.

 

Now, you try...

you are not arguing with me directly. just gave you a definition that is listed for an objective reference.

 

I consider someone to be materialistic when they wish to improve their quality of life with an earthly possession that is not living.

 

you need to take the chip off your shoulder. So anytime someone wants to buy something that's not living to improve their life they're being materialistic?

 

Even if it's pants for their kids. Diapers for a baby?

 

There are material things and there are necessities. Big difference between a shirt on your back and a 250 dollar throwback.

 

No chip. Just seeing where you're coming from, since the human race is so "materialistic." There are definitely a lot of monks, people who do charity work and humanitarians who would object to what you're saying. I'd just agree with them. yes, but the pope said we are being over materialistic. I just don't see it compared to other countries in our quality of life range. Well, how many other countries have you been to? The problem is that you are trying to apply some empirical measure to "materialism," which is completely subjective in it's interpretation (as seen in the convos in this thread.)

 

I think that materialism is a natural evolution of the humans' inherent desire to compete. Given no other means in which to accurately demonstrate one's performance and accomplishment one falls back upon the accumulation of desirable objects.

 

Probably goes back to the gathering part of "hunter/gatherers." But as far back as I can tell there has always been significance placed upon the accumulation and possession of valuables.

 

As for the Pope, isn't he irrelevant yet? The Vatican is so far off the radar screen when it comes to the world today I can't beleive that anyone pays attention anymore.

Didn't you learn anything from my shoe article.