Naturalism (philosophy)

Naturalism is any of several philosophical stances, typically those descended from materialism and pragmatism, that does not distinguish between the supernatural and the natural. It does not claim that phenomena or hypotheses commonly labeled supernatural necessarily do not exist or are wrong, but insists that they are not inherently different from any other hypotheses or phenomena and can be studied by the same methods.

Criticism of Naturalism

Common critics of naturalism are creationists who claim that their religious perspectives are not respected by the current practices and theories of science, including proponents of intelligent design who hold that there are phenomena that cannot be explained by "undirected processes" inherent to the naturalist conception of reality. These are individuals and organizations who insist that the assumption that the natural world is comprehensible independent of theism or supernatural intervention has caused science to come to incorrect conclusions and has inappropriately excluded research that claims to include such ideas.

Related Topics:
Creationists - Intelligent design - Theism

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Many creationsts have suggested that the idea is directly responsible for social problems as well. Creationist Benjamin Wiker traces the historical development of the modern materialist perspective starting with the choice of the Epicureans to focus exclusively on the natural realm as a necessary step toward their goals; see his book "Moral Darwinism; How We Became Hedonists". The Discovery Institute, hub of the intelligent design movement has also attributed naturalism to the decline of morality in Western society and the rise of totalitarianism. Such argumentation is expanded into a plan for a religous renewal of society in the Center for Science and Culture's Wedge strategy.

Related Topics:
Benjamin Wiker - Discovery Institute - Intelligent design movement - Morality - Western society - Totalitarianism - Center for Science and Culture's - Wedge strategy

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