Is materialism common in physics?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the idea of materialism in physics and whether consciousness has a place in the scientific world. Some physicists, such as Fred Alan Wolf, Menas Kafatos, Brian Josephson, and Amit Gotswami, believe in the concept of consciousness woo, but others argue that it has no place in physics. Ultimately, the conversation concludes that spirituality has no place in physics and that scientific evidence is necessary for any idea to be validated in the field.
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Trollfaz
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I myself is a materialist. I believe that everything in nature is made of physical interactions. Consciousness is not relevant. In physics there is nothing that supports the idea that consciousness is related to the physical world. However there are physicists who subscribe to this consciousness woo such as Fred Alan Wolf, Menas Kafatos, Brian Josephson and Amit Gotswami. Is materialism the default idea in physics?
 
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  • #2
To “believe” in “something” is private matter. Physics has to rely on the scientific method; and some cherished ideological beliefs play no role. As Byron K. Jennings puts it in “Defense of Scientism: An Insider's view of Science”:

"Contrary to popular opinion, the scientific method does not assume materialism, realism, or any other -ism. All one needs to carry out science are observations that can be used to construct and test models. Whether the observations are the result of a material world impinging on the mind through the senses, or purely illusions of the mind as in solipsism, does not really matter. The relationship between the models and reality is different for each of the options one through five [materialism, idealism, solipsism, deism, theism, LJ], but observation cannot discriminate between them."
 
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It seems that spirituality has no place in physics. That's why all the scientists who pursue this idea are criticised.
 
  • #4
Trollfaz said:
It seems that spirituality has no place in physics.
Just make it scientific, with results what can be validated all over the world: then you can claim that place for it.
 
  • #5
We do not discuss philosophy here, without explaining why - it has been done elsewhere. But to answer your question physicists have all sorts of views you can read in books that discuss such things eg a book I am reading right now called The Philosopher and the Physicist. Also Penrose has views on it. You can form your own view from such sources. With that said the thread is now shut.

Thanks
Bill
 
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1. What is materialism in physics?

Materialism in physics is the philosophical belief that all phenomena in the universe can be explained in terms of physical matter and its interactions. This means that everything in the universe, including human consciousness and thoughts, can ultimately be reduced to physical particles and forces.

2. Is materialism a widely accepted belief in the field of physics?

Yes, materialism is a commonly accepted belief among physicists. Many scientists adopt a materialistic perspective because it has been a successful framework for understanding and predicting the behavior of the physical world.

3. How does materialism differ from other philosophical beliefs in physics?

Materialism is often contrasted with idealism, which holds that the physical world is ultimately created by the mind. Materialism also differs from dualism, which posits that the mind and body are separate entities. Materialism asserts that only physical matter and its interactions are necessary to explain the universe.

4. Are there any criticisms of materialism in physics?

While materialism is a widely accepted belief in physics, it is not without its criticisms. Some argue that it cannot fully explain consciousness and subjective experiences. Others argue that it reduces everything to mere cause and effect, neglecting the complexity of human experience.

5. How does materialism impact scientific research in physics?

Materialism provides a framework for understanding the physical world and has greatly contributed to the advancement of scientific research in physics. It allows scientists to make predictions and test theories based on physical laws and principles. However, it is important for scientists to remain open to new ideas and perspectives, as materialism may not fully capture the complexity of the universe.

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