Keith Ward - Metaphysics vs. Materialism? (Part 1)

Metaphysics asks the most profound questions, then uses sophisticated philosophical analysis to seek the deepest truths. What happens when #metaphysics trains its analytical guns on 'materialism', the claim that only the physical is real? What are the metaphysical arguments for and against materialism?

Keith Ward is a British philosopher, theologian, pastor and scholar.

Closer To Truth presents the world’s greatest thinkers exploring humanity’s deepest questions. Discover fundamental issues of existence. Engage new and diverse ways of thinking. Appreciate intense debates. Share your own opinions. Seek your own answers.

[massanchik]

Bernardo Kastrup should be on the interview. He is best modern idealist philosopher.

[jairofonseca]

Materialism is dead, humans are supernatural entities.

[uremove]

Nice interview. I think as well as the “Constructionist” form of Idealism, which Dr Ward describes, whereby the existence of unseen physical entities is theory dependent, I would want to add as an argument for Idealism, the laws which govern reality. What existed prior to the coming into being of physical stuff eg, the principles of mathematics, or the laws of quantum mechanics? These are surely ideas! Moreover, as an Idealist (which I’m not), I’d want to emphasise the central importance of the narrative drama. I always preferred Sciences to the Humanities, but I now appreciate what the latter do is engage with our deepest concerns.
If existence was a play, Science focusses on the technical details of lighting, scenery, backdrop and props... Maybe an Idealist makes the characters, plot and meaning of the play central.

“Life is but a dream within a dream” ~Shakespeare

[youtubecom]

Naturalism is the most ambiguous word ever.

[patientson]

Natural: spirituality with a guard.
mental: spirituality with intermittent endurance
Spiritual: prolonged endurance of longsuffering nature embodies new life.

[giuffre]

Some people thought materialism had no affect of consciousness.
Then they fought Mike Tyson. 😀

[MonisticIdealism]

Ward is a Dualistic Idealist: he holds the mental is the foundation of all reality, but is not exhaustive of reality. If Ward embraces monism then he can preserve causal closure (the intuition motivating "naturalism") and have the high ground over materialism on the hard problem of consciousness by holding the mental to be exhaustive of reality.

[doctorandusbruggink]

I doubt there is a clear distinction between Kant and Berkeley.

[TheProdigalMeowMeowMeowReturns]

Bernardo Kastrup is better at defending idealism.

[Paulus_Brent]

Makes no sense to me. If we see the world with mental glasses it doesn't follow that the world is mental.

[guilhermesilveira]

Keith Ward is wrong. Materialism is the future.

[Mandibil]

It is a false dichotomy in the title ... materialism is a kind of metaphysics, not an opposition

[myopenmind]

There are philosophers who are right and those that are wrong.

[Mandibil]

If all your experience is "placed" inside your mind, how can you claim any insight into an external world, when none of your experience is outside the mind. At most what is inside your mind, is a mental representational construction

[vammanenmies]

I feel like how materialism is talked here is a sense that differs from physicalism and feels outdated. Nevertheless it is interesting to see that 'wild theories' such as panpsychism and idealism are being given serious consideration (by Chalmers for example).

[billnorris]

An excellent interview as always.. I respect Dr. Ward, and his opinions.. BUT, If this argument is philosophies BEST attempt to refute materialism, it fails.. One mans humble opinion.

[mgsp]

Kant was an anti enlightenment philosopher. Shame that he is so respected.

[eltonron]

Intent, and karma are proof of the supernatural. Thus, it is with the ten commandments. Supernatural laws, given by a supernatural entity, with a supernatural voice, and HEARD by thousands.

[bajajones]

Calling idealism silly is demeaning. You made yourself look like a fool. Interviewer get a grip

[Guipasco]

Today's philosophers are just historians; nobody wants to take the blame, nobody has an opinion... Sad!