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Glite Dictionary
physicalistic

physicalistic

9.3
Relating to the idea that everything is made of matter and follows natural laws
  • adjective
  • /ˌfɪzɪkəˈlɪstɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fisicalista
  • The physicalistic approach to psychology emphasizes the importance of biological processes in understanding behavior.

Examples

  • The attempt by the logical positivists of the Vienna Circle to carry out a critique of language that sought to ground linguistic expression in physicalistic protocol sentences had long been an object of Horkheimer's criticism.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Many scientists support a physicalistic view of the universe, arguing that all phenomena can be explained through physics.

  • Only in the second half of the 20th century does it begin to acquire the promise of a physicalistic understanding.

    Academic text (2005)

  • In a physicalistic framework, mental states are seen as functions of physical states in the brain.

Synonyms

physical
vsphysicalistic
798 2.7

About real material things you can see or touch

is a specific belief that all things are explained by matter and laws
mechanistic
vsphysicalistic
7 7.4

Treating things as if they work like a machine and ignoring their complexity

states a broader philosophical claim about universal matter and laws rather than machine imagery
physicalist
vsphysicalistic
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Believing that everything is made of matter and explained by natural causes

asserts a doctrine that all things are explained by matter and natural laws

Antonyms

idealistic
  • Specialized
47 7.0

The belief that the mind makes reality rather than matter

Surface Forms

physicalistic positive

Morphology

physicalistic = physical (semi-transparent) = physical + istic

While the root 'physical' is clear, the suffix 'istic' denotes a specific philosophical doctrine, which may not be immediately obvious to all learners.

Etymology

Physicalistic comes from physical, which in turn comes from Greek physis meaning 'nature', plus the ending -istic that makes it about a view or approach. So physicalistic describes the view that everything can be explained by physical matter and physical laws.