Brick is a widely used construction material.
The word material comes from the Latin term materialis and refers to what has to do with matter . Matter, for its part, is that which is opposed to the abstract or spiritual.
The concept of material has different uses depending on the context. Depending on the perspective with which the term is analyzed, one or another definition of it can be reached; Here we present some of the ways in which the word is used. In any case, the meaning of the term always revolves around a series of accessories necessary to carry out a task or essential elements in a certain action.
Construction material
In the construction environment, a material can be a block of matter or a component that is used to construct either a building or any other construction.
In this area, materials are considered those components that allow something to be built or repaired; Among the fundamental ones are bricks, sand, beams and the tools used to do the work; That is, everything without which the work could not be carried out. The machinery used is also included in this set.
Some examples that we can mention, where the term appears are: "This house was built with an ecological material" (to make it clear that what it has been made with does not harm the environment and aims to preserve the ecosystem), "I believe that we will have to buy more materials to finish the building" (in the field of construction, this is said to express that if more material is not acquired we cannot continue working), "What material do you recommend to build a loft" ( a question asked by an individual to a construction professional before deciding to carry out a renovation in their home).
The concept in engineering, art and philosophy
The use given to the term in engineering defines materials as substances with useful qualities that may be thermal, mechanical or other types.
In the field of art , the material is a work developed by an artist: “The band has played in the Argentine capital to present their new material,” “The Mexican singer's material disappointed critics.”
For philosophy , materialism is a doctrine based on the material universe and emerged as the opposite of idealism . For materialism, the world exists independently, objectively and externally with respect to consciousness.
School supplies constitute essential materials for the development of school activities.
Other uses of the term
The concept can also refer to abstract elements , always maintaining their original meaning, that they are necessary to carry out a certain thing, that they fulfill a specific function. In this sense, we talk about pedagogical materials when referring to those fundamental ideas or concepts when teaching, teacher attitudes and ways of approaching education; of social materials when talking about the ways in which someone should behave or the attitudes they are expected to possess; and psychological materials when reference is made to the elements that are part of someone's personality.
Finally we can add that in turn the term can be associated with others forming a new concept, which can serve to mention groupings of real or virtual elements that are used for specific objectives. Thus we can talk about school materials (such as notebooks, rulers, pencils and markers or markers), construction materials (sand, steel, cement, etc.) or laboratory materials (pipette, test tube, crystallizer or lighter). ).