Motives for Materialism - Book Summary (2024)
Murtadha Motahari
The book "Motives for Materialism" explores the historical, social, and philosophical reasons behind the trend towards materialism, particularly in Europe, and its relationship with religion, science, and human instincts. It also discusses the impact of materialism on societal structures, its connection with socialism, and its role in resistance and heroism.
Key Ideas
01
Materialism is a philosophical perspective that confines existence to the physical world, governed by the laws of matter, time, space, and human senses. It dismisses anything beyond this realm as mere illusion. This perspective rejects the concept of metaphysics and non-material existence, including the existence of God.
The reasons behind adopting a materialistic viewpoint are significant. It's insightful to explore the factors that led to the rise and popularity of materialism. For instance, materialism gained traction in Iran during the 1950s and 1960s.
However, it's important to note that adopting a materialistic perspective of nature, as a tangible, evolving reality, doesn't necessarily contradict the belief in God. In fact, the consistent laws of nature can be seen as a reflection of God's wisdom. Therefore, studying the evolution of materialism can potentially lead to a deeper understanding of God, as suggested in the Quran.
The focus here is not on this form of materialism. Instead, the aim is to explain the reasons and factors that led to the rise of a form of materialism that denies all non-material existence. The goal is to understand how this rejection of metaphysics and God came about.
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Final Summary:
"Motive for Materialism" by Murtadha Motahari is a comprehensive exploration of the historical, philosophical, and societal factors that have contributed to the rise of materialism. The author argues that materialism, which denies the existence of non-material entities and restricts existence to the material world, is a trend that has been influenced by various factors including intellectual, social, and political concepts. He emphasizes the importance of presenting divine thought in a correct, verified, reasonable, and scientific method, and argues that the survival of humanity depends on belief in God.
To implement the learnings from the book into one's life, one could:
- Study and understand the philosophical underpinnings of materialism and its implications on society.
- Reflect on the role of divine thought in one's life and how it influences one's worldview.
- Engage in discussions and debates about materialism and divine thought to broaden one's perspective.
- Critically evaluate the influence of social and political concepts on one's belief system.
- Explore the historical origins of materialism and its evolution over time.
- Strive to present and understand divine thought in a scientific and reasonable manner.
- Consider the implications of materialism on humanity's survival and civilization.
- Reflect on the role of religious authorities and their influence on societal trends towards materialism.
- Understand the connection between materialism and socialism, and how they influence each other.
- Continually question and re-evaluate one's beliefs and understandings in light of new information and perspectives.
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