Naturalism (philosophy)

Naturalism (philosophy) is a philosophical viewpoint according to which everything arises from natural properties and causes, and supernatural or spiritual explanations are excluded or discounted.

Overview

Naturalism asserts that natural laws are the rules that govern the structure and behavior of the natural universe, that the changing universe at every stage is a product of these laws.

Types of Naturalism

Naturalism can be divided into two main types: ontological naturalism and methodological naturalism.

Ontological Naturalism

Ontological naturalism posits that the natural world is all that exists. This form of naturalism holds that all concepts related to consciousness or to the mind refer to entities which are reducible to or supervenient upon natural things, forces and causes. More specifically, it rejects the objective existence of any supernatural thing, force or cause, such as are described in humanity's various religions.

Methodological Naturalism

Methodological naturalism, on the other hand, refers to the use of the scientific method to explain the natural world, without the assumption that the natural world is all that exists.

Naturalism in Various Fields

Naturalism has been applied in various fields such as philosophy of science, ethics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of perception, and philosophy of religion.

Criticisms

Despite its wide acceptance, naturalism has been criticized by several philosophers. Some critics argue that naturalism is inherently self-refuting, while others claim it's an insufficient framework for understanding certain aspects of the universe.

See Also

• Materialism
• Physicalism
• Humanism
• Secularism

References

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