# Physicalism Physicalism is the philosophical position that everything that exists is either physical in nature or depends on physical processes. It asserts that all phenomena, including mental states, consciousness, and abstract concepts, can ultimately be explained in terms of physical entities, properties, and laws. Physicalism is grounded in the scientific worldview, often aligning closely with the idea that the universe operates according to discoverable, objective laws and that nothing exists beyond the material realm or its interactions. Physicalism relates to [Realism](Realism.md) in that both posit the existence of an objective reality independent of human perception or interpretation. However, realism does not necessarily commit to a physicalist view—it can encompass non-physical entities, such as abstract objects or moral truths, depending on the specific type of realism (e.g., moral realism, mathematical realism). Physicalism, on the other hand, rejects the existence of non-physical entities, making it a more specific and constrained position within the broader framework of realism. --- Date: 20241210 Links to: Tags: References: * []()