Metaphysical naturalism

Lore & Background

Metaphysical naturalism is defined by Arthur C. Danto as a species of philosophical monism according to which whatever exists or happens is natural and susceptible to explanation through methods continuous with the natural sciences. It repudiates any entities that lie beyond scientific explanation. David Papineau traces the current usage to early 20th century American philosophers such as John Dewey, Ernest Nagel, Sidney Hook, and Roy Wood Sellars, noting that most contemporary philosophers accept naturalism as rejecting supernatural entities and allowing science as a route to truths about the human spirit.

Reader's Guide

Metaphysical naturalism serves as the philosophical basis of science according to some scholars, who state that assumptions of objective reality, human perceptual accuracy, and rational explanations are the foundation of naturalism. Steven Schafersman notes that methodological naturalism is the adoption of philosophical naturalism within scientific method, and that one may be agnostic about its ultimate truth while adopting it as a working hypothesis. Contemporary naturalists possess a wide diversity of beliefs, with most adopting some form of materialism or physicalism. The worldview holds that the Big Bang, abiogenesis, and evolution are natural phenomena without supernatural influences, and that the mind is a natural phenomenon without a soul or spirit. Arguments for metaphysical naturalism include the argument from physical minds, which notes that brain damage consistently affects mental states, suggesting a causal relation between brain and mind.

Did You Know?

• Carl Sagan described metaphysical naturalism by saying 'The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be.'
• Alvin Plantinga commented that naturalism resembles religion in performing the cognitive function of a religion.
• Most metaphysical naturalists have adopted some form of materialism or physicalism.
• The argument from physical minds notes that brain damage consistently alters mental states, suggesting a causal relation.