hylic

A philosopher contrasts the hylic world with the realm of pure ideas.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to matter or material substance: "hylic" describes something pertaining to physical matter, as opposed to spiritual or immaterial aspects. It is often used in philosophical or theological contexts to distinguish the material world from the ideal or spiritual realm.

Usage Examples

• (The material world is temporary, contrasted with the eternal soul.)
• (The material aspect of humans is considered inferior.)

Advanced Usage

• Hylic beings: In Gnostic cosmology, "hylic" refers to individuals who are entirely material and lack spiritual awareness, in contrast to "psychic" (soul-oriented) and "pneumatic" (spiritually enlightened) beings.

  • The hylic person is driven by bodily desires and cannot grasp divine truths. (A person focused only on physical needs.)

• Hylic vs. spiritual: The term is used to emphasize the distinction between the tangible, changeable physical realm and the eternal, unchanging spiritual realm.

  • The ancient text contrasted hylic existence with the pure, formless reality of the divine. (Material existence versus spiritual reality.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hylics (noun, plural): individuals or entities that are purely material.

  • The hylics were considered incapable of salvation in certain Gnostic systems. (Material beings without spiritual potential.)

• Hylicism (noun): the philosophical doctrine that matter is the fundamental substance of reality.

  • Hylicism rejects any notion of a non-material soul. (The belief that only matter exists.)

Synonyms

• Material: relating to physical substance.
• Corporeal: having a physical body; bodily.
• Physical: pertaining to the tangible world.

Antonyms

• Spiritual: relating to the non-material, transcendent realm.
• Immaterial: not composed of matter.
• Ethereal: extremely light and delicate; seemingly not of this world.

Related Idioms