Materialism By David Thoreau: Monist Way Of Life

Have you ever sat down and really thought about how much you value your possessions? Do you value your belongings more than you value friends, family, love, or even yourself? Materialism is commonly practiced as a way of life. Author David Henry Thoreau was completely against materialism. As opposed to Thoreau, there are also many individuals that are against idealism. Although idealism and materialism have some similarities, they are extremely different. Also, they are both an unrealistic way of living. In life, there should be no monist way of reality. Life, morals, values, family and friends should valued and cherished rather than material possessions. Materialism is a philosophy where individuals cherish their possessions more than friends, family, and sometimes even themselves. Materialism is looked down on so often, yet it is a common philosophy of individuals. This philosophy is unrealistic for the reason that “things” are more important than people. Human beings are more often taken for granted than material possessions. Most individuals would tell you that materialism is bad while they are a materialistic person them self. If material items and technology are valued more than character, ideas, and life, then personal priorities may be out of order. Although
items should not be taken for granted, they should not be held at a higher priority than the important things in life. Idealism is the philosophy is the belief that everything is perfect.
This perception of reality is unrealistic because nothing can be completely perfect. It is natural for life to have good and bad moments, but they are a learning experience either way. If life was always perfect, we as humans would not experience many emotions that we harbor, and life would be unbalanced. Sometimes, it is hard to see the good when there is no bad. Things are often taken for granted when individuals do not realize what they have. Idealism is also unrealistic for the reason that life adapts to the new technology and items as the generations move on, and the philosophy stands against the new developments of
life. There should be no monist way of living. Life has to have an equal balance and order to function as you wish. Many individuals have conformed and gave in to materialism and do not even realize it. Unlike the less popular lifestyle where some believe life should be prefect and you should not rely on material possessions. Material possessions are an important part of life, but should not be used to evaluate the character of another person. Materialism is more realistic between the two philosophies, but equality is important to maintain a balanced life.
A song that goes along with this topic is “Royals” by Lorde. In “Royals”, Lorde states, “My friends and I—we 've cracked the code. We count our dollars on the train to the party. And everyone who knows us knows that we 're fine with this, we didn 't come from money.” These lyrics state that they are fine without many material items or much money. They have material items, but they are more worried about having fun than how much money they have. She also speaks of how songs represent materialism by always singing about material items that they value more than anything else. It is good to have some material possessions, but they should not consume you or determine who you are. Possessions and technology should not be something that you get attached to, that can be ruled as unhealthy and unrealistic.

Materialism
Idealism
How Order Emerges
Natural selection blindly discovers efficient organized states.
Awareness fosters order by creatively seeking higher levels of organization.
Nature of Life
Essentially chemical, with complex forms developing through natural selection. Emotions exist because they have adaptive value.
Vitality depends upon a subtle body which maps the functions and structures of living to the molecular components of the physical body. Emotions are experiences of the vital body.
Nature of Mind and Consciousness
Epiphenomenal properties of advanced biological nervous systems.
Consciousness is fundamental and mental reality is its most subtle aspect. Between materialism and idealism, materialism is a more commonly practiced way of life. Neither idealism nor materialism are a realistic or fulfilling philosophies. Thoreau is correct that society is too dependent on material items rather than other aspects of life. He is also incorrect that everyone will lie a happier life with the simplest of items. Material goods help the economy, and some must evolve with the rest of the world, as to others to whom simplicity is bliss.

Works Cited
Yelich-O 'Connor, Ella Maria Lani. My friends and I—we 've cracked the code. We count our dollars on the train to the party. And everyone who knows us knows that we 're fine with this, we didn 't come from money. “Royals.” Pure Heroine. CD. Universal Music NZ Ltd. 2013.
Barrera, Steve. "Materialism vs. Idealism." Materialism vs. Idealism. Steve Barrera, 2001. Web. 10 Jan.
2014. .