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How does materialism differ from the everyday meaning of being materialistic?

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Bronze bust of Epicurus with a full beard and draped clothing, displayed on a round inscribed base at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. — Materialism Epicurus, bronze bust from a Greek original, c. 280–270 bce; in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples.

In philosophy, materialism is a metaphysical theory asserting that all facts, including those regarding the mind and human history, are causally dependent upon or reducible to physical processes. This philosophical framework seeks to explain the nature of reality through physical entities, such as atoms or brain states.123

This differs significantly from the everyday, pejorative use of the word. In common parlance, being "materialistic" refers to an ethical attitude characterized by a preoccupation with material possessions, bodily comforts, and sensuous pleasures.3

These two definitions are distinct and independent:
* A person can hold a philosophical materialist worldview while prioritizing intellectual or spiritual pursuits over physical luxury.3
* Conversely, someone who believes in immaterial spirits or non-physical entities may still lead a lifestyle focused entirely on material wealth and comfort.3

Ultimately, the philosophical term describes a theory of existence, whereas the everyday term describes a set of personal values or behaviors.3