5th century BCE-present
Materialism is the metaphysical position that only matter and physical processes exist—mind and consciousness are ultimately physical.
Ancient atomists originated materialism. 19th-century scientific materialism. Marx and Engels developed dialectical materialism.
Democritus, Epicurus, Hobbes, La Mettrie, Marx, Engels, J.J.C. Smart, Churchlands, Dennett.
Only matter exists. Mind reducible to brain states. Causal closure of physical. Dialectical materialism. Neural dependence of consciousness.
Shaped scientific worldview. Influenced cognitive science. Dialectical materialism shaped Marxism. Contemporary physicalism dominates.
