The philosopher
divided the world into two realms, the material and the non-material.
The material realm consists of everything that is tangible and can be perceived through our senses. It includes objects, bodies, and the physical environment. This realm is governed by natural laws and can be studied and understood through scientific methods.
On the other hand, the non-material realm refers to things that cannot be perceived physically. It includes abstract concepts such as ideas, thoughts, emotions, and consciousness. These aspects of human existence cannot be measured or quantified in the same way as the material realm.
According to the philosopher, the non-material realm is equally important and intertwined with the material realm. They believe that the non-material aspects of life, such as consciousness and subjective experience, play a significant role in shaping our understanding of the world and ourselves.
This division between the material and non-material realms reflects the philosopher's belief that reality is not solely determined by the physical world but is also influenced by immaterial phenomena. It acknowledges the complexity of human existence and the limitations of relying solely on scientific methods to understand the world.
The philosopher you are referring to is most likely René Descartes. Descartes divided the world into two realms, the material (physical) and the non-material (mind or consciousness). He believed that the material realm consisted of everything that can be observed and measured by the senses, while the non-material realm included thoughts, emotions, and consciousness. Descartes famously stated, "I think, therefore I am," emphasizing the importance of the non-material realm of the mind in defining our existence. This dualistic view of reality influenced many subsequent philosophical and scientific discussions on the nature of the mind-body relationship.
The philosopher you are referring to is likely Plato. In his philosophical system, Plato divided the world into two realms: the material realm and the non-material realm, also known as the world of Forms or Ideas.
To understand this division, let's explain how to get the answer. The best way to explore Plato's philosophy is to study his dialogues, particularly his most famous work, "The Republic." "The Republic" presents Plato's theories on a variety of topics, including his metaphysical views.
In "The Republic," Plato presents the allegory of the cave, which helps illustrate his dualistic worldview. According to Plato, the material realm is the world of appearances, the physical world that we perceive with our senses. This realm is characterized by constant change, imperfections, and illusions.
On the other hand, the non-material realm, or the world of Forms, is the realm of true reality. Plato believed that this realm consists of eternal and unchanging Forms or Ideas. These Forms are the ultimate realities behind the objects and concepts we encounter in the material world. For example, there is a Form of Beauty that exists independently of any particular beautiful object in the physical world.
Plato argued that human knowledge is derived from an innate understanding of the Forms. Through philosophical inquiry and dialectic reasoning, individuals can access the truth of the Forms and gain knowledge of the non-material realm. Plato saw the human soul as being eternal and existing before birth in the realm of Forms.
It's important to note that Plato's theory of the two realms is just one interpretation of reality and metaphysics. Other philosophers and schools of thought have proposed different perspectives on the nature of reality and the relationship between the material and non-material aspects of existence.