Naturalism: Difference between revisions
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'''Naturalism''' can mean a variety of different things, but mostly it refers to philosophical positions which hold that "nature is all that is", and can be contrasted with [[supernaturalism]]. There are many other uses of the word naturalism though. | '''Naturalism''' can mean a variety of different things, but mostly it refers to philosophical positions which hold that "nature is all that is", and can be contrasted with [[supernaturalism]]. There are many other uses of the word naturalism though, both in [[philosophy]] and in the wider culture. | ||
== Metaphysical v. methodological naturalism == | == Metaphysical v. methodological naturalism == | ||
In recent discussions over [[science]] education, specifically over the teaching of [[evolution]] and [[intelligent design]], much has been made over the question of whether science is "naturalistic" or not. This has led philosophers like [[Barbara Forrest]] to draw a distinction between 'methodological' and 'metaphysical' or 'philosophical' naturalism - the former being a component of the method of the natural science, while the latter being optional and substitutable with, say, theism or some form of supernaturalism<ref>Barbara Forrest, [http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/barbara_forrest/naturalism.html Methodological Naturalism and Philosophical Naturalism: Clarifying the Connection], ''Internet Infidels''</ref>. | In recent discussions over [[science]] education, specifically over the teaching of [[evolution]] and [[intelligent design]], much has been made over the question of whether science is "naturalistic" or not. This has led philosophers like [[Barbara Forrest]] to draw a distinction between 'methodological' and 'metaphysical' or 'philosophical' naturalism - the former being a component of the method of the natural science, while the latter being optional and substitutable with, say, theism or some form of supernaturalism<ref>Barbara Forrest, [http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/barbara_forrest/naturalism.html Methodological Naturalism and Philosophical Naturalism: Clarifying the Connection], ''Internet Infidels''</ref>. The lawyer and intelligent design advocate [[Philip Johnson]] and Notre Dame philosopher [[Alvin Plantinga]] argue that the two cannot be easily partitioned, and that the distinction hides the fact that science is, in their view, deeply antagonistic and biased against views that are incompatible with metaphysical naturalism, namely intelligent design. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
Revision as of 04:47, 28 August 2009
Naturalism can mean a variety of different things, but mostly it refers to philosophical positions which hold that "nature is all that is", and can be contrasted with supernaturalism. There are many other uses of the word naturalism though, both in philosophy and in the wider culture.
Metaphysical v. methodological naturalism
In recent discussions over science education, specifically over the teaching of evolution and intelligent design, much has been made over the question of whether science is "naturalistic" or not. This has led philosophers like Barbara Forrest to draw a distinction between 'methodological' and 'metaphysical' or 'philosophical' naturalism - the former being a component of the method of the natural science, while the latter being optional and substitutable with, say, theism or some form of supernaturalism[1]. The lawyer and intelligent design advocate Philip Johnson and Notre Dame philosopher Alvin Plantinga argue that the two cannot be easily partitioned, and that the distinction hides the fact that science is, in their view, deeply antagonistic and biased against views that are incompatible with metaphysical naturalism, namely intelligent design.
References
- ↑ Barbara Forrest, Methodological Naturalism and Philosophical Naturalism: Clarifying the Connection, Internet Infidels