Define Scientific Materialism.

Scientific materialism is a philosophical stance that asserts the primacy of physical matter and its properties in explaining the nature of reality. Rooted in the scientific method and empirical observation, scientific materialism rejects supernatural or metaphysical explanations, focusing on the idea that all phenomena, including consciousness and mental processes, can be ultimately understood in terms of physical entities and processes.

This worldview posits that the fundamental constituents of the universe are material particles governed by natural laws, and it seeks to explain the complexities of the world through reductionist approaches. Scientific materialists maintain that the scientific method, with its emphasis on empirical evidence, experimentation, and observation, is the most reliable means of gaining knowledge about the world.

While scientific materialism has been immensely successful in advancing scientific understanding and technological progress, it also faces critiques. Some argue that it may oversimplify the richness of human experience by reducing it to purely physical terms, neglecting aspects like consciousness, subjectivity, and meaning that may not be fully captured within a strictly materialist framework.