Materialism vs. Naturalism — What's the Difference?

Materialism is a form of philosophical monism that holds that matter is the fundamental substance in nature, and that all things, including mental states and consciousness, are results of material interactions. According to philosophical materialism, mind and consciousness are by-products or epiphenomena of material processes (such as the biochemistry of the human brain and nervous system), without which they cannot exist.

(in art and literature) a style and theory of representation based on the accurate depiction of detail

(Philosophy) The doctrine 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 philosophical belief that everything arises from natural properties and causes, and supernatural or spiritual explanations are excluded or discounted

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

The practice of describing precisely the actual circumstances of human life in literature.

Concern for possessions or material wealth and physical comfort, especially to the exclusion of spiritual or intellectual pursuits.

The practice of reproducing subjects as precisely as possible in the visual arts.

Constant concern over material possessions and wealth; a great or excessive regard for worldly concerns.

A movement or school advocating such precise representation.

(philosophy) The philosophical belief that nothing exists beyond what is physical.

The principles and methods of such a movement or of its adherents.

Material substances in the aggregate; matter.

(Philosophy) The system of thought holding that all phenomena can be explained in terms of natural causes and laws.

The doctrine of materialists; materialistic views and tenets; called also philosophical materialism.

(Theology) The doctrine that all religious truths are derived from nature and natural causes and not from revelation.

The tendency to give undue importance to material interests as contrasted with spiritual concerns; devotion to the material nature and its wants.

Conduct or thought prompted by natural desires or instincts.

Material substances in the aggregate; matter.

A state of nature; conformity to nature.

A desire for wealth and material possessions with little interest in ethical or spiritual matters

The doctrine that denies a supernatural agency in the miracles and revelations recorded in religious texts and in spiritual influences.

(philosophy) the philosophical theory that matter is the only reality

(philosophy) Any system of philosophy which refers the phenomena of nature as a blind force or forces acting necessarily or according to fixed laws, excluding origination or direction by a will.

(philosophy) A doctrine which denies a strong separation between scientific and philosophic methodologies and/or topics

(arts) A movement in theatre, film, and literature that seeks to replicate a believable everyday reality, as opposed to such movements as romanticism or surrealism, in which subjects may receive highly symbolic or idealistic treatment.

(nonstandard) naturism, nudism, social nudity.

The belief in natural law.

A state of nature; conformity to nature.

The doctrine of those who deny a supernatural agency in the miracles and revelations recorded in the Bible, and in spiritual influences; also, any system of philosophy which refers the phenomena of nature to a blind force or forces acting necessarily or according to fixed laws, excluding origination or direction by one intelligent will.

The theory that art or literature should conform to nature; realism; also, the quality, rendering, or expression of art or literature executed according to this theory.

The principles and characteristics professed or represented by a 19th-century school of realistic writers, notably by Zola and Maupassant, who aimed to give a literal transcription of reality, and laid special stress on the analytic study of character, and on the scientific and experimental nature of their observation of life.

(philosophy) the doctrine that the world can be understood in scientific terms without recourse to spiritual or supernatural explanations

An artistic movement in 19th century France; artists and writers strove for detailed realistic and factual description