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Immateriality Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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immateriality

[หŒษชmษ™หŒtษชriหˆรฆlษชti ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

legal term

The quality or state of not being material or relevant; insignificance.

Synonyms

insignificance, irrelevance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
immateriality

This word is used to describe something that lacks physical substance or is not relevant to the matter at hand. It is often used in legal or philosophical contexts.

  • The immateriality of his claims was evident during the trial.
  • Philosophers often debate the immateriality of the soul.
insignificance

This term describes something that has little or no importance or impact. It can be applied in various contexts, including personal feelings, events, or objects.

  • She felt a sense of insignificance in the vast crowd.
  • The minor error in the report was of such insignificance that it was overlooked.
irrelevance

Use this word when talking about something that is not related to the current topic or situation. It has a somewhat negative connotation, implying that the mentioned thing is unnecessary or unimportant.

  • His comment about the weather was complete irrelevance in the middle of the business meeting.
  • The judge dismissed the evidence due to its irrelevance to the case.

Examples of usage

  • His argument was dismissed due to its immateriality in the case.
  • The immateriality of the evidence led to its exclusion from the trial.
Context #2 | Noun

philosophical term

The concept that non-material things exist, such as thoughts or ideas, separate from physical reality.

Synonyms

non-materiality, spirituality.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
immateriality

Used to describe something that lacks physical substance or is not relevant to the matter at hand.

  • The immateriality of the evidence made it useless in court.
  • His concern with the immateriality of material wealth set him apart from his peers.

Examples of usage

  • The philosopher discussed the immateriality of the mind and its implications.
  • Many religious beliefs involve the immateriality of the soul.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • In philosophy, immateriality raises questions about what is real and how we perceive it, suggesting that not everything we understand is physical.
  • Plato distinguished between the material world and the realm of ideas, where true knowledge resides beyond physical objects.
  • Renรฉ Descartes introduced the idea of dualism, separating mind (immaterial) and body (material), impacting modern discussions on consciousness.

Art and Literature

  • In literature, authors often explore immaterial themes, such as love, memory, and identity, which shape characters beyond their physical existence.
  • The concept of immateriality is prominent in modern art, where artists convey emotions and ideas through abstract forms rather than tangible objects.
  • Surrealism often depicts the immaterial, blending dreams and reality, highlighting how intangible experiences affect our perception of the world.

Religion and Spirituality

  • Many religions perceive the soul as immaterial, embodying values and beliefs that transcend the physical body.
  • Eastern philosophies often discuss the immaterial aspects of life, emphasizing inner peace and enlightenment over material possessions.
  • The notion of an immaterial afterlife exists in various cultures, suggesting that life continues beyond physical existence.

Science

  • In physics, the concept of immateriality can relate to phenomena like dark matter, which influences the universe but cannot be seen or directly measured.
  • Quantum mechanics suggests that particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously, hinting at a reality that is fundamentally immaterial.
  • The theory of relativity introduced observable aspects of the universe that challenge traditional views of materiality and space-time.

Psychology

  • Psychologists explore how immaterial thoughts and feelings shape behavior, hinting at the power of the mind over physical actions.
  • The concept of immateriality is connected to cognitive psychology, which studies memory and perception that are not tied to physical objects.
  • Emotional states have an immaterial impact on overall health, emphasizing the mind-body connection; happiness and stress are not physical yet significantly influence well-being.

Origin of 'immateriality'

The word 'immateriality' originated from the combination of 'im-' meaning 'not' and 'materiality' meaning 'having substance or physical existence'. It is commonly used in legal and philosophical contexts to describe the lack of material significance or the existence of non-physical entities. The term reflects the ongoing debate between materialism and dualism in philosophy, exploring the nature of reality beyond the physical realm.

See also: immaterial, material, materialism, materiality, materialization, materialize, materially, materials.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,744 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.