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She bids me write in his book
Jun 25, 2011 23:04
12 yrs ago
6 viewers *
English term

the opposite os materialistic

English Other General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
I need an adjective to describe a person who chooses to marry someone who´s generous, caring etc etc but has no money. She chooses him among others because of his virtues. I thought about "spiritual" or deep but I´m not sure.
Responses
3 +2 principled
3 +7 non-materialistic
5 +1 idealistic
4 spiritual, thrifty, ungreedy
4 -1 generous
4 -1 disinterested / not self-seeking
4 -2 easy come, easy go
3 -1 down-to-earth

Discussion

Nesrin Jul 2, 2011:
Hi Patsy - I think that with the information you provided, we have endeavored to provide all possible options. However, with more information, e.g. the actual text in which the word is meant to appear, we may do better. In my personal opinion, "spiritual" doesn't fit the bill here, and does have certain religious connotations.
Patsy Florit (asker) Jul 2, 2011:
I´m still looking for a word that could be used as the opposite of materialistic. I like "spiritual" but I need to know if it is necessarily related to religion.
Arabic & More Jun 30, 2011:
I think it will be difficult to find a one-word synonym for non-materialistic that does not sound too stiff for the context. If you have some leeway, it might help to describe the woman's character and emotions a bit more creatively. Just let your ideas flow and then take out whatever is superfluous.

In my opinion, Nesrin has provided some good suggestions that you can build on.
Nesrin Jun 30, 2011:
The term for that is "blinded by love" ;-) ... or, more seriously, you could say she is someone who follows her heart.
Patsy Florit (asker) Jun 30, 2011:
This woman chooses this man because of his virtues and doesn´t even think about the money he has which is almost none. She is totally in love with him, come what may. I wanted to know if there´s a synonym of non-materialistic because she doesn´t even consider that aspect.
benettfreeman Jun 26, 2011:
Someone sounds bitter Fact is, I support the idea that peer review is useful in separating bad answers from good ones, and that disagreement is as equally important as agreement. I've made it clear that Nesrin's answer is perfectly valid in a number of contexts, and I've distinguished where the dividing line would be between my answer and hers. I don't 'agree' with hers because it seems the context favours mine. That, of course, is for the asker to ultimately decide, which is why I've marked mine as 'Medium' confidence as opposed to the usual 'High', and have (as pointed out) given reasoning as to why I disagree with SOME of the others, and why the incorrect answers should be seen as such.

So yes, Eski, I have principles, and they are clearly different to yours, since I would not dream of making unwarranted accusations of immorality, or start a pointless brouhaha. I suggest you drop it.
Arabic & More Jun 26, 2011:
Eski, I believe there is a difference between disagreeing because you genuinely disagree, disagreeing because you want to make your own answer stand out, and disagreeing because you wish to get back at someone for disagreeing with you. In Benett's case, I genuinely believe that he is not doing it to promote his own answer. He has taken the time to explain his reasoning behind each disagree, leaving it to the asker now to make her own decision.

Having said that, Nesrin is probably correct that this is not the right place for this discussion.
eski Jun 26, 2011:
Hi Nezrin You're right. of course. Let's assume each of the peers that recieved a "Big Red" from a certain peer were to "exercise their option" - based on the fact that the Kudoz Rules permit it - to 'return the favor': that peer would now have 5 disagrees: ¿O no?

Saludos.
eski
Nesrin Jun 26, 2011:
Here's one such discussion http://www.proz.com/forum/kudoz/32688-disagreeing_vs_being_n...
Nesrin Jun 26, 2011:
Forums... I would leave this discussion for the general Kudoz-Forum.. in fact, the issue has indeed been discussed before on the forums, and people can't agree: whether it's inappropriate to disagree with peers when you have suggested an answer, or whether as a matter of principle :-) it's your duty to point out the errors in any suggested answer. In any case, the site does not ban answerers from doing just that.
eski Jun 26, 2011:
Principles Or else, (If I'm one of the persons also offering a post) I can use the "Neutral" button to express my opinion and not use the "Big Red" to 'eliminate' the entries forwarded by my peers.
Of course, you have your own standards to live by.

Saludos,
eski :))
Arabic & More Jun 26, 2011:
Eski, I don't agree with your assessment at all. The fact is that most of the answers suggested are not good matches for the context, and some are downright incorrect. Not disagreeing means leaving the asker with the impression that all answers are equally good/relevant.
eski Jun 26, 2011:
Principles It's interesting that someone who would choose "Principled" as their suggestion for this context would resort to awarding his peers a big RED "disagree" in order to promote his own post: ¿0 no?
Saludos!
eski :))
B D Finch Jun 26, 2011:
Philosophy Well, let's hope she married for love and was lucky enough to find somebody she shared principles and values with! I hope for both their sakes that she is nothing like Ayn Rand's characters.

However, getting back to the point that this is a linguistic website, the meaning of words is what it is all about and philosophy has a great deal to do with that. Philosophy uses a specialist vocabulary in which some words have special meanings different from their usual meanings. In this case, I think the normal, common or garden meaning of "materialistic" is what is required. However, if basing an argument upon the specialist, philosophical meaning of "materialism", we should at least get it right.
benettfreeman Jun 26, 2011:
Philosophy doesn't (necessarily) matter here The woman in question has made the decision to choose a man based on principled values (virtues) rather than pragmatic values (materialistic considerations such as money), but unless specified I think we can assume that the woman is not philosophically aware (she is unlikely to be like a character in an Ayn Rand novel!). Therefore, she ought to be described with a term that loosely summarises her choice to be principled, without descending into German ideology. Just my 2p.
B D Finch Jun 26, 2011:
@Paul Lambert It is quite wrong to insist that the philosophical meaning of "materialism" precludes the use of word "materialistic" as meaning motivated by the wish to accumulate wealth or possessions. The latter is a perfectly correct use of the word. Indeed, "materialist", is generally preferable to "materialistic" for philosophical usage.

Your definition of materialism is also incorrect. Materialism in philosophy is about whether there are only material (as opposed to mental) entities. Its opposite, idealism, does not mean idealistic in the colloquial sense, but that there are only mental entities.

Marx was certainly a philosopical materialist, but he assigned very great importance to freedom, principles and morality. "Workers of the world unite - you have nothing to lose but your chains" is a political statement about freedom and was formulated because of Marx's principles. Socialism and communism are all about freedom, principles and morality and are based upon a materialist philosophy in order to understand the world and work towards those ends.

Communism means much more than the systems of power and government of the former Eastern bloc.
Paul Lambert Jun 26, 2011:
A widely misused word... Materialism is a philosophical school of thought that holds that physical existence exists but that consciousness does not, or at least does not matter. Socialism and communism for example are materialistic political philosophies. More broadly, materialism holds abstractions, such as freedom, principles and morality, as unimportant as they do not take on physical forms. Materialism holds physical objects in and of themselves as primaries and driving forces in all contexts. As such, unless being used literally, I tend not to use the word since so few people really know what it means. Simply wanting to accumulate wealth or possessions is not materialistic, in spite of popular usage. If you re-write the passage somehow as not to include the word, I would suggest you do.

Responses

+2
9 hrs
Selected

principled

This is a tricky one. We'd ideally like to know more about the woman to select the very best adjective, as it appears to lie in between several areas.

However, my answer concentrates on the decision of the woman to choose the man according to reasons of virtue rather than any pragmatic or MATERIALISTIC reasons.

This method of selection, this approach, attitude, whatever you want to call it, strongly suggests PRINCIPLE.
Example sentence:

"Out of all the men she met during that period, she chose him because she was principled and his values closely matched hers."

Peer comment(s):
agree Arabic & More : Although not strictly an opposite to materialistic, I think "principled" is suitable for the context. I have also offered the answer "down-to-earth," which I believe similarly conveys the idea that the woman is simple and principled.
6 hrs
neutral B D Finch : Love? Perhaps?
8 hrs
Love what? :P
neutral eski : "not strictly an opposite to materialistic" sums it up: saludos, :))
10 hrs
agree Thuy-PTT (X)
2 days 0 min
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "I think this will do. It´s not the opposite of materialistic but this lady is definitely principled. thanks"
3 mins

spiritual, thrifty, ungreedy

Mike

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Note added at 4 mins (2011-06-25 23:09:23 GMT)
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Antonyms by Answers.com:
materialistic
Top
Home > Library > Literature & Language > Antonyms

adj
Definition: thinking mainly about things
Antonyms: spiritual, thrifty, ungreedy



Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/materialism#ixzz1QKem7X3u
Peer comment(s):
disagree benettfreeman : "Thrifty" and "greedy" have no application to the subject of marriage partners, I'd say. "Spiritual" is a possibility, but is too suggestive of religious beliefs, which we don't know if she has.
9 hrs
agree Ildiko Santana
2 days 15 mins
Thank you, Ildiko - Mike
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-1
5 mins

generous

generous:

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Note added at 6 mins (2011-06-25 23:11:01 GMT)
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You know there's this materialist philosopher who wanted to ..... We are not to steal but rather be generous with our money and resources. ...
www.civitatedei.com/2011/06/on-materialist-ideologies/ - En caché
the most generous of all mankind - منتدى نصرة رسول الله صلى الله ... - [ Traducir esta página ]4 Sep 2010 – But Allah's Messenger, (PBUH), was always generous to the poor and ..... the materialistic but rather moral or emotional value of a gift. ...
montada.rasoulallah.net/index.php?showtopic=56808 - En caché
Generous Giving : Stewardship Sermons (E) - [ Traducir esta página ]Rather than condemning possessions in general, James 5:2-3 is a warning about hoarding .... that hinder our relationship with God but, rather, materialism. ...
library.generousgiving.org › Sermons - En caché - Similares
Generous Giving : Money and Possessions - [ Traducir esta página ]In order to become a gracious, generous person—don't sit down with a ...
library.generousgiving.org/page.asp?sec=28... - En caché - Similares
Mostrar más resultados de generousgiving.orgLove Scopes on Astral Hearts - Metaphysical Personals Articles - [ Traducir esta página ]... silk and lace...not for materialism, but rather for the appreciation of beauty. ... Leos are generous and inventive lovers. Leos love to be admired and ...
www.astralhearts.com/articles.php?aid=12 - En caché

Saludos
eski :))
Peer comment(s):
disagree benettfreeman : Generosity focuses on the acts of giving and helpfulness on the part of the subject. In this case, the adjective has to concentrate on the woman's choice of partner
9 hrs
Whatever you say, bennett: Saludos :))
Something went wrong...
-2
23 mins

easy come, easy go

How materialistic are you? Free Dating, Singles and Personals - [ Traducir esta página ]25 publicaciones - 21 autores - Última entrada: 1 Mar. 2009
I'm not materialistic about cars or designer clothes but I do like to spend money on my home. ... For me money is easy come - easy go. ...
forums.plentyoffish.com/datingPosts11901908.aspx - En cachéObtener más resultados de debates
The Woman - [ Traducir esta página ]13 Sep 2010 – I am not materialistic but do appreciate the finer things life has to offer if I can afford it. If I can't, easy come, easy go. ...
www.hryan.com/thewoman/thewoman.htm - En cachéwhat is one of your most prized posessions? [Archive] - ESP ... - [ Traducir esta página ]15 Apr 2011 – I use to be materialistic and life taught me an important lesson and since then, easy come easy go. I'm certainly not materialistic, ...
bbs.espguitars.com › ... › The General Discussion Forum - En caché
Peer comment(s):
disagree Polangmar : "Easy come, easy go" means not regretting the loss of something obtained without (much) effort and doesn't fit the context.
2 hrs
Thank you for confirming, in a roundabout fashion, the validity of my answer in Asker's context.
disagree benettfreeman : Doesn't fit at all
8 hrs
Something went wrong...
-1
1 hr

disinterested / not self-seeking

Note "disinterested" is very different from "uninterested".

"deep" is very different.

"spiritual" is closer, but still different to my mind.
Peer comment(s):
neutral Jennifer Levey : "describe a person who chooses to marry someone " --> 'disinterested'? Hey, that sounds like fun! Anyone for dominoes?
22 mins
disagree benettfreeman : She's choosing him for his values, which is a personal decision to her. She makes this choice because it is what SHE wants. Therefore I would suggest these are very wrong choices
7 hrs
Something went wrong...
+1
5 hrs

idealistic

materialism and idealism used to be opposite philosophic categories
Peer comment(s):
neutral benettfreeman : In a philosophical sense, these are two schools seen as being more or less opposite, but they have limited application to the character traits of individuals if they are not connected to philosophy. One could use 'idealistic' for an Ayn Rand character!
4 hrs
neutral Paul Lambert : Agree in a general sense of the proper use of the word; however, in context I don't think it fits. And yes, I would certainly call Ayn Rand's characters idealistic and not materialistic, but I think that is quite a departure from the context in question
5 hrs
neutral B D Finch : The philosophical categories of materialism and idealism are not relevant here.
9 hrs
agree Polangmar : The philosophical categories of materialism and idealism are not relevant here - the proposition is very good: http://tinyurl.com/5u5wkra .
4 days
Something went wrong...
-1
15 hrs
English term (edited): the opposite of materialistic

down-to-earth

"Down-to-earth" is not exactly the opposite of "materialistic," but I think it conveys the idea that the woman is not too concerned with material matters and worldly life. It basically describes someone who is simple and sincere in her dealings--who is humble and does not flaunt whatever wealth she might have. It is the opposite of haughty, proud, and pretentious.

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Note added at 19 hrs (2011-06-26 18:27:33 GMT)
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You could, for example, say:

She was a simple, down-to-earth woman who was not materialistic in any way.
Peer comment(s):
disagree Polangmar : "Down-to-earth" means "realistic", "concerned with material matters and worldly life".
4 days
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+7
22 mins

non-materialistic

I would simply describe the woman who marries the man despite of his poverty as non-materialistic.

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Note added at 9 hrs (2011-06-26 08:46:19 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

(Small correction: despite his poverty, not despite of his poverty!)

Just to add: I don't think there is a straightforward opposite for the word "materialistic", that's why you'll find usages of non-materialistic, amaterialistic, unmaterialistic and immaterialistic (the first one is by far the most widely used). But it would definitely help to see the actual text in which the word appears.

Here some examples:

Material Definitions of a Non-Materialistic Man Many people, including Joan Kron , author of the essay entitled “The Semiotics of Home ...
essaysforstudent.com/print.html?essay=38606

Happiness and satisfaction is the essence of true non-materialistic gift. [READ FULL ARTICLE] ...
ezinearticles.com/?Birthday-Gifts---In-Non-Materialistic.

You Have To Leave Behind Non-Materialistic Things To Moving To A New Area. ...
www.lawcrossing.com/.../Long-Distance-Relationships-Working...

And even in philosophical contexts:

NON-MATERIALISTIC NATURALISM. By BERTRAND RUSSELL. M\ /[ATERIALISM has at no time been comnmuon among profes- sional philosophers, since Plato and ...
www.jstor.org/stable/4332359

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Note added at 4 days (2011-06-30 21:12:28 GMT)
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Here's my second suggestion, if "non-materialistic" isn't expressive enough:
to follow one's heart: Fig. to act according to one's feelings; to obey one's sympathetic or compassionate inclinations. I couldn't decide what to do, so I just followed my heart. I trust that you will follow your heart in this matter. http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/follow heart
Peer comment(s):
neutral Jennifer Levey : The straightforward negative of materialistic is 'IMmaterialistic', not 'non-...' http://www.questionhome.com/html/Philosophy/20070707/65173.h...
7 mins
Usage seems to confirm that the word "exists" though and is far more widely used than im-, a- or unmaterialistic.. Even used by respectable philosophers like Bertrand Russell http://www.jstor.org/pss/4332359
agree DLyons : OED doesn't give IMmaterialistic. "amaterialistic" exists (just about) but surprisingly means anti-materialistic.
1 hr
agree Polangmar
2 hrs
neutral benettfreeman : I think it works semantically, but if the source text is literature, I would suggest this is kinda clunky and unattractive for a character adjective. If however, the source is a descriptive, real-life piece, this might prove to be the best option
8 hrs
It would definitely help if the asker could provide the actual context in which the word is used. Thanks.
agree Paul Lambert : This is the only answer that is literally correct. Still, the word itself should probably be avoided.
10 hrs
Thanks - and I agree with your explanation in the discussion box above.
agree B D Finch
14 hrs
agree Tina Vonhof (X) : It may not be elegant but it is safe and unlikely to be misinterpreted.
19 hrs
agree Phong Le
22 hrs
agree Yasutomo Kanazawa : I'd say an antonym (an opposite) of the word materialistic would be non-materialistic. Simple and straightforward.
1 day 5 hrs
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