Naturalism
Introduction
Naturalism is an optimistic version of atheism. While it rejects the reality of God, it takes a positive view toward life, knowledge, and the possibility of public morality.
Encarta defines naturalism as "a system of thought that rejects all spiritual and supernatural explanations of the world and holds that science is the sole basis of what can be known." (See Encarta® World English Dictionary[North American Edition] © & (P) 2009 Microsoft Corporation/Bloomsbury)
However, for many (e.g. Clarence Darrow, George Bernard Shaw, Aldous Huxley, et al) it has given way to the increasing skepticism found in nihilism and existentialism.
Metaphysics
Belief about God
Does God exist?
No
How do you describe God?
Though no god(s) exist(s), the "God" concept is a mythological invention of the imagination of
ignorant humanity; "God" is a merely a wish projection for a powerful, benevolent father figure (Feuerbach, Freud). This myth needs to be destroyed in order for mankind to move ahead.
"The responsibility for our lives and the kind of world in which we live is ours and ours alone." (The Humanist Manifesto III)
Is there any kind of spirit world?
No, what is real is strictly limited to the physical world of matter, i.e. "materialism."
Belief about the world
Is there an overall plan or order behind nature?
No, the universe operates according to naturally occurring cause-and-effect, evolution (cosmic, geological, and biological), and random chance operating according to statistical probabilities.
Belief about humanity
Are human beings different from the rest of nature?
No. Although humans are the most highly evolved current species on earth, we are simply another species among hundreds of thousands of organisms which have emerged on earth through natural and unplanned processes.
Where did we come from, and where are we going?
- Matter is eternal, and can neither be self-generated nor brought into being by anything external to the universe. The entire universe as we know it came into being through an original Big Bang approximately 13-14 billion years ago. All of the matter which currently exists was already present in some form (either as matter or energy) in this infinitely dense compression, which burst forth independently of any outside agency or cause into the complexity and order presently observed in the cosmos.
- Life spontaneously generated from inorganic matter, again free of outside influence or design.
- All the complex, diverse species of life emerged through random mutations to this original single cell, which then adaptated with increasing complexity through the eras of environmental changes. This
process, known as evolution (a.k.a. natural selection, Darwinism) is often referred to as "survival of the fittest," indicating the inevitable competition both within and between species in the struggle to reproduce life successfully. - Homo sapiens are presently evolving into higher beings. Some conjecture that through technologies of genetic manipulation, bionic implants, and chemical enhancements, a post-human, superior species may arrive as early as sometime during this 21st century.
- Barring catastrophe, however, it is inevitable that evolution will advance beyond humanity as it currently is.
- Eventually, left to itself the universe will end in a "heat death." An alternative view theorizes that the outward expansion of the universe will reverse itself, ending in the implosion of everything in the opposite of the Big Bang, referred to as the "Big Crunch" (which may or may not once again Bang apart).
Axiology
2.1 Beliefs about purpose
What is the overall purpose or meaning of humanity?
There are no universally agreed-upon purposes for humanity as a species. Indeed, no species serves any higher purpose beyond propagating itself in the "survival of the fittest."
What is the main purpose or highest good for each individual?
Humans should promote evolutionary progress by making the world better for our children.
“Man’s most sacred duty, and at the same time his most glorious opportunity, is to promote the maximum fulfillment of the evolutionary process on this earth; and this includes the fullest realisation of his own inherent possibilities.” --Julian Huxley (1925)
Belief about ethics
How does one decide right and wrong?
- Right is the greatest good for the most people over the long haul, as determined by doing what is best for the continuation and health of our species.
- Individually, right and wrong depend on the situation and social context.
According to Humanist Manifesto III, we should "lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity."
Epistemology
Is it possible for humans to know truth?
Yes.
What are legitimate sources of truth?
Humans gain knowledge of the world through reason and research (including science, math, logic, history, etc.). Since naturalists believe that the only thing that truly exists is the material world, the only thing that can be "known" must be physical entities. Therefore, science must be considered not only the chief mode of knowing, but virtually the only way. True knowledge is discovered only through the scientific method: i.e. repeatable testing of hypotheses about the nature and mechanics of the material world from an objectibve and unbiased stance
.
A challenge to science's claim at objectivity has been raised from many quarters both within the scientific guild (Werner Heisenberg, Thomas Kuhn, etc.) and from many postmodern theorists (see "Questioning of Scientific Thinking").
HYBRIDS:
The following views are "blended versions" of naturalistic with theistic elements:
- situation ethics: dismissing universal right and wrong in favor of a flexible morality governed by the variables of particular situations.
- materialism: functionally valuing the physical world over the spiritual
- theistic evolution: adopts the prevailing theories of evolutionary process but maintains that God supervises it.
- process theology: believes that God himself is learning, growing, and evolving.
- dominion theology (a.k.a. reconstructionism, theonomy): the global society is inexorably progressing toward a utopian state, consummated by Christ's return.
- liberation theology: belief in God combined with Marxist ideologies.
NOTE ON "BRIGHT":
There is currently a movement which seeks to advance the worldview of Naturalism, promoting the use of the word "Bright" as a label to identify themselves. In their own words: "A Bright is a person whose worldview is naturalistic (free of supernatural and mystical elements). Brights base their ethics and actions on a naturalistic worldview, one free of any deities, fairies, angels, ghosts, demons, sprites, etc."
You can find out more about them at the following website: The Brights
THE HUMANIST MANIFESTO:
The Humanist Manifesto, originally published in 1933 and revised in 1973 and 2003, amounts to a formal creed among naturalists ("secular humanists"). Below is the 2003 edition.
Humanist Manifesto III AKA "Humanism and Its Aspirations" (2003)
Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.
The lifestance of Humanism—guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience—encourages us to live life well and fully. It evolved through the ages and continues to develop through the efforts of thoughtful people who recognize that values and ideals, however carefully wrought, are subject to change as our knowledge and understandings advance.
This document is part of an ongoing effort to manifest in clear and positive terms the conceptual boundaries of Humanism, not what we must believe but a consensus of what we do believe. It is in this sense that we affirm the following:
Knowledge of the world is derived by observation, experimentation, and rational analysis. Humanists find that science is the best method for determining this knowledge as well as for solving problems and developing beneficial technologies. We also recognize the value of new departures in thought, the arts, and inner experience—each subject to analysis by critical intelligence.
Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change. Humanists recognize nature as self-existing. We accept our life as all and enough, distinguishing things as they are from things as we might wish or imagine them to be. We welcome the challenges of the future, and are drawn to and undaunted by the yet to be known.
Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience. Humanists ground values in human welfare shaped by human circumstances, interests, and concerns and extended to the global ecosystem and beyond. We are committed to treating each person as having inherent worth and dignity, and to making informed choices in a context of freedom consonant with responsibility.
Life's fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals. We aim for our fullest possible development and animate our lives with a deep sense of purpose, finding wonder and awe in the joys and beauties of human existence, its challenges and tragedies, and even in the inevitability and finality of death. Humanists rely on the rich heritage of human culture and the lifestance of Humanism to provide comfort in times of want and encouragement in times of plenty.
Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships. Humanists long for and strive toward a world of mutual care and concern, free of cruelty and its consequences, where differences are resolved cooperatively without resorting to violence. The joining of individuality with interdependence enriches our lives, encourages us to enrich the lives of others, and inspires hope of attaining peace, justice, and opportunity for all.
Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness. Progressive cultures have worked to free humanity from the brutalities of mere survival and to reduce suffering, improve society, and develop global community. We seek to minimize the inequities of circumstance and ability, and we support a just distribution of nature's resources and the fruits of human effort so that as many as possible can enjoy a good life.
Humanists are concerned for the well being of all, are committed to diversity, and respect those of differing yet humane views. We work to uphold the equal enjoyment of human rights and civil liberties in an open, secular society and maintain it is a civic duty to participate in the democratic process and a planetary duty to protect nature's integrity, diversity, and beauty in a secure, sustainable manner.
Thus engaged in the flow of life, we aspire to this vision with the informed conviction that humanity has the ability to progress toward its highest ideals. The responsibility for our lives and the kind of world in which we live is ours and ours alone.
Other links
RESOURCES FOR UNDERSTANDING & RESPONDING TO NATUALISM
For a critique of the "New Atheism," See John Lennox, Gunning for God: A Critique of the New Atheism (Lion, 2011)
Alister E. McGrath, Surprised by Meaning: Science, Faith, and How We Make Sense of Things (Louisville: Westminster John Knox: 2011)
Kenneth Richard Samples, A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007): 201-218.
James Sire, The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalogue (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2009): 66-93.
