Beyond the material : rethinking the limits of reality through philosophy, science, and anthropology : is there something else?

This thesis examines the widely held conception of reality, prevalent in both academic literature and public perception, which equates ‘the real’ with what materialism can explain. The first chapters examine philosophical, scientific, and anthropological fields, showing that these domains reveal significant weaknesses in materialist philosophy when subjected to closer scrutiny. The final chapter addresses why such convictions persist despite mounting evidence against them, focusing on the psychological commitments and institutional structures that continue to sustain materialism as the dominant worldview. The first half of the thesis interrogates the philosophical underpinnings of materialism and scientism. It examines the historical shift from science as a methodological tool to an ontological authority, critiques the conceptual vagueness of materialism, and highlights its vulnerability to Hempel’s dilemma and Gödel’s incompleteness theorems. Then, developments in quantum physics are shown to challenge materialism’s core axioms, revealing fractures in its claim to provide a complete ontology. The second half turns to anthropological case studies, demonstrating the persistence of frameworks that resist reduction to materialist explanation. Case studies, such as those involving extended consciousness and alternative medicine, illustrate how lived practices and cultural systems reflect dimensions of reality that extend beyond the physical. The thesis concludes by reframing science as a methodology rather than an ideology to preserve its success, and materialism as one theory among many. It advocates a pluralistic epistemology that preserves scientific rigour while opening inquiry to metaphysical possibilities that extend beyond the material. This work draws on a wide range of published sources, including both classical and contemporary literature, from the fields of philosophy of science, metaphysics, and cultural anthropology. All consulted materials are acknowledged through citations and bibliography. The thesis also reflects the guidance and assistance of mentors, whose intellectual and personal support have been integral to the project’s development.

Grantor dc:publisher

Oxford Brookes University

Author dc:creator

• Villacorta, Leah

Contributors dc:contributor

• Darby, George
• Boulter, Stephen

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Language dc:language

en

DOI dc:identifier

https://doi.org/10.24384/1tpf-4k87

OAI identifier oai:identifier

tle:e9c0556c-409e-434d-b451-0a6caf48bbba:d6bd9758-527a-46cd-bfe2-c433766e8fca:1