Naturalism vs. Supernaturalism

Is naturalism a ridiculous, discredited philosophy which no intelligent person would even dream of adopting? Some people think so - including those who should, ostensibly, be intelligent themselves. Their condemnations of naturalism must, however, draw such an assumption into question.

Case in point is Graeme Hunter who wrote for the Montreal Gazette:

The idea of naturalism might not be ludicrous, but it is also not very bright. It denies that there is anything beyond the natural realm. That must mean one of two things. First, it might mean that only the kinds of things 21st century humans (especially scientists) recognize are capable of existing. ... But maybe the Brights are simply determined to call everything "natural," whether they can explain it or not. Of course they are free to use words as they choose. But not many will follow them.

Would you believe that Hunter is a philosophy professor - one who specializes, in part, in logic? Yes, it is hard to believe that anyone who has any training in logic would commit such an obvious False Dilemma fallacy. Those aren't the only two possibilities for what might be meant by naturalism, something that should be known by anyone who has studied science or philosophy.

The first option given is also a subtle ad hominem, but ignoring that for the moment: naturalism is the idea that everything that exists or occurs is natural. There might be natural things which 21st century human beings aren't aware of, there is no question about that, but this doesn't mean that there are supernatural things we are unaware of. One can adopt this as a methodological premise (you assume it for the purpose of scientific investigation) or metaphysically (it is the basis of your philosophy/worldview).

It's inconceivable that a professor of philosophy would not be aware of it, which makes it so disturbing that Graeme Hunter would mislead his readers so atrociously. I can't imagine what his classes must be like, but I'm not sure that I really would like to know.

Read More:

• Philosophy 101
• Philosophy of Religion