T2 The Materialist Philosophy

Inspired by Mighty Spoiler’s calypso song, ‘Bedbug’

Tell us your thoughts - What do you think about the philosophical issues raised in this song?

Yes I heard when you ask a materialist
They say reality’s defined by the physicist
Yes I heard when you ask a materialist
They say reality’s defined by the physicist
Well if that’s so I don’t want them looking at me
Thinking I’m all mass and energy
I won’t be an object in their eyes
Cos I know that materialism’s all lies, Just because

You cannot say that there’s only objects
When we all experience objects
If you can’t explain experience too
Then you’ve got a philosophy that’s not true

This idea started in ancient Greece
Democritus thought it was his masterpiece
He proposed that we split things into parts
Those little atoms are where all things get their start
That’s so foolish
If you subdivide
Doesn’t mean you’ve found your metaphysical guide
All it means is you’re modelling for power
An electron is less real than a flower

You cannot say that there’s only objects
When we all experience objects
If you can’t explain experience too
Then you’ve got a philosophy that’s not true

It wasn’t ‘til the 17th century
When this philosophy began its ascendency
People thought it gave science authority
And gave atheists respectability
That’s so foolish
Then along came Marx
He liked materialism right from the start
It tied in with his revolutionary zeal
But forgets everything people think and feel

You cannot say that there’s only objects
When we all experience objects
If you can’t explain experience too
Then you’ve got a philosophy that’s not true

It was in the 20th century
When materialism gained supremacy
Not through argument or philosophy
But because we all love technology
That’s so foolish
In the USA
They were worried communism might win the day
But America and Russia could both agree
Democritus was right about reality

You cannot say that there’s only objects
When we all experience objects
If you can’t explain experience too
Then you’ve got a philosophy that’s not true

SOLOS

You gotta watch what you take for granted
Ideas that your history implanted
And if you know you tend to be in a fright
Then find another philosophy that’s alright