Naturalism

Naturalism Naturalism

The Materialistic View of The Materialistic View of Reality Reality

Key Questions Key Questions How did deism serve as a bridge between How did deism serve as a bridge between

theism and atheism? (Sire) theism and atheism? (Sire) How does naturalism answer the major How does naturalism answer the major

worldview questions? (Sire chapter 4) worldview questions? (Sire chapter 4) Who were the major 19Who were the major 19thth century figures century figures

associated with naturalism? associated with naturalism? What new ideologies reflected the What new ideologies reflected the

naturalistic perspective? naturalistic perspective? What is the current debate between What is the current debate between

science and faith? (reason and religion) science and faith? (reason and religion)

Historical Influences on Historical Influences on Naturalism Naturalism

NaturalismNaturalism developed out of a growing developed out of a growing confidence in confidence in human reasonhuman reason produced by the produced by the The Scientific Revolution – 1600’s The Scientific Revolution – 1600’s the Enlightenment- 1700’s the Enlightenment- 1700’s

The Age of Reason The Age of Reason Empiricism (the scientific method) and mathematics Empiricism (the scientific method) and mathematics

became the model for determining claims to truth and became the model for determining claims to truth and realityreality

Renee Descartes’ Renee Descartes’ Influence Influence

Renee Descartes suggested a Renee Descartes suggested a division between mind and division between mind and matter - Cartesian Dualism matter - Cartesian Dualism ObjectiveObjective- matter- - matter-

explored through science, mathematics, observation, evidence, explored through science, mathematics, observation, evidence, facts facts

Subjective Subjective - “mind” - “mind” Imagination, intuition, spiritual knowing, emotions, etc. Imagination, intuition, spiritual knowing, emotions, etc.

Descartes saw Descartes saw rational DOUBT rational DOUBT as the pathas the path to truth to truth ““I think, therefore I am.” I think, therefore I am.” – – NOT faith NOT faith

A growing SA growing SKEPTICISMKEPTICISM about traditionally held ideas and about traditionally held ideas and institutions began to take hold in Europe and the west. institutions began to take hold in Europe and the west.

How naturalism How naturalism addresses the major addresses the major worldview questionsworldview questions

James SireJames SireThe Universe Next DoorThe Universe Next Door

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

What is prime reality?What is prime reality? Matter (external reality) is the Matter (external reality) is the ONLY ONLY

realityreality No metaphysical (supernatural) realityNo metaphysical (supernatural) reality The main focus is on The main focus is on empirical scienceempirical science

and human and human rationalityrationality in coming to in coming to know and understand realityknow and understand reality

What is the nature of What is the nature of external reality (the external reality (the

physical world)?physical world)? The universe is a The universe is a cause and effect systemcause and effect system Ordered systemOrdered system – governed by very precise – governed by very precise laws – laws –

Anthropic principle-Anthropic principle- the system is “fined tuned” the system is “fined tuned” to support life to support life

CLOSED or determined system that evolved CLOSED or determined system that evolved through random causes and processes through random causes and processes Determined systemDetermined system - - nothing nothing can reorder the can reorder the

laws of nature- everything is subject to the laws of laws of nature- everything is subject to the laws of nature nature

What is a human being?What is a human being? Humans are complex physical- biological Humans are complex physical- biological

organismsorganisms Humans have no transcendent nature Humans have no transcendent nature

No soul or spiritNo soul or spirit Rational beings Rational beings

Human Human consciousnessconsciousness and the mindand the mind are are solely part of our solely part of our physical beingphysical being (biological (biological and chemical processes of the brain)and chemical processes of the brain)

What happens when we What happens when we die?die?

Death means “Death means “extinction” extinction” Humans have no essence that lives Humans have no essence that lives

on beyond physical existenceon beyond physical existence No heaven or hellNo heaven or hell ““Human destiny is an episode Human destiny is an episode

between two oblivions.” Nagelbetween two oblivions.” Nagel

How we determine right How we determine right and wrong?and wrong?

Moral choices are related solely to human Moral choices are related solely to human beingsbeings

Come from human consciousness and reasonCome from human consciousness and reason No universal or absolute moral ethicNo universal or absolute moral ethic or or

moral standard moral standard Morality is influenced by culture, Morality is influenced by culture,

environment, community, family, etc. and is environment, community, family, etc. and is part of the evolutionary process of survival part of the evolutionary process of survival

How we know what we How we know what we know?know?

Knowledge is strictly related to human reasonKnowledge is strictly related to human reason human intelligence human intelligence human experience human experience

There is There is no revealedno revealed knowledge or truth – knowledge or truth – no no special revelationspecial revelation (or general (or general revelationrevelation) )

No innate value system – No innate value system – no “law of human nature” – Lewis no “law of human nature” – Lewis

Human HistoryHuman History History is a stream of events linked History is a stream of events linked

together by cause and effect together by cause and effect No underlying meaning or purposeNo underlying meaning or purpose The process of history is self-The process of history is self-

activatingactivating Things just happen-Things just happen- no force, design, or no force, design, or

intelligence behind events or processesintelligence behind events or processes

Early 19Early 19thth Century Century

DevelopmentsDevelopments

Utilitarianism Utilitarianism (18(18thth and 19 and 19thth centuries)centuries) Associated with Associated with

Jeremy BenthamJeremy Bentham and and John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill (British philosophers)(British philosophers)

the idea that decisions should be based on the idea that decisions should be based on what produces what produces the greatest good for the the greatest good for the greatest numbergreatest number Utility – perceived positive outcome Utility – perceived positive outcome

Pleasure vs. pain - quantification Pleasure vs. pain - quantification Goal - “Goal - “happiness”- happiness”-

pleasure- freedom from pain pleasure- freedom from pain

Example: Example: It is rational to suppose that by eliminating one chick It is rational to suppose that by eliminating one chick the remaining three will have better chance at being the remaining three will have better chance at being stronger and healthier (positive outcome)stronger and healthier (positive outcome)

When the When the McCaughey’s found McCaughey’s found out they were going out they were going to have 7 babies, the to have 7 babies, the doctors advised them doctors advised them to terminate some of to terminate some of the fetuses to allow the fetuses to allow the others a better the others a better chance at surviving. chance at surviving. They decided not to They decided not to terminate any of the terminate any of the babies. All are doing babies. All are doing well. well.

Positivism Positivism Associated with Auguste ComteAssociated with Auguste Comte

French philosopher- French philosopher- “high priest” of “high priest” of secular secular humanismhumanism

PositivismPositivism proposes that all of society’s proposes that all of society’s problems can be understood and addressed problems can be understood and addressed through the correct through the correct application of science application of science Secular and materialistic approach Secular and materialistic approach Positivism is the basisPositivism is the basis for the for the Social SciencesSocial Sciences: :

sociology, psychology, anthropology, etc. sociology, psychology, anthropology, etc.

1919thth century figures century figures who influenced the who influenced the

development of development of naturalism naturalism

Charles DarwinCharles Darwin British naturalistBritish naturalist Developed the Developed the theory of evolutiontheory of evolution based on based on natural natural

selection in the struggle for survival.selection in the struggle for survival. Random processes of adaptation over very long periods Random processes of adaptation over very long periods

of time of time Proposed that all life originated from a single sourceProposed that all life originated from a single source

The Origin of Species-The Origin of Species- published in published in 18591859 Darwin’s ideas influenced the shift toward the Darwin’s ideas influenced the shift toward the

naturalistic (materialistic) worldviewnaturalistic (materialistic) worldview

Charles DarwinCharles Darwin

Darwin in his own words.Darwin in his own words. "In the "In the struggle for survivalstruggle for survival, the , the

fittest winfittest win out at the expense of out at the expense of their rivals because they succeed in their rivals because they succeed in adapting adapting themselves best to their themselves best to their environment." environment."

"The fact of evolution is the backbone "The fact of evolution is the backbone of biology, and biology is thus in the of biology, and biology is thus in the peculiar position of being a science peculiar position of being a science founded on an founded on an improved theoryimproved theory, is it , is it then a science or faith?"then a science or faith?"

Charles Darwin is buried in Charles Darwin is buried in Westminster Abby in LondonWestminster Abby in London

Darwin’s religious viewsDarwin’s religious views Darwin’s religious views changed Darwin’s religious views changed

over time. over time. He might best be described as He might best be described as

agnosticagnostic on the question of God. on the question of God. Darwin selected a quote from Sir Darwin selected a quote from Sir

Francis Bacon to open the original Francis Bacon to open the original publication of publication of The Origin of The Origin of SpeciesSpecies. .

Introduction to Introduction to The Origin of SpeciesThe Origin of Species

18591859 ‘‘To conclude, therefore, let no man To conclude, therefore, let no man

… think or maintain that a man can … think or maintain that a man can search too far or be too well studied search too far or be too well studied in the in the book of God’s wordbook of God’s word, or in , or in the the book of God’s worksbook of God’s works; divinity ; divinity or philosophy; but rather let men or philosophy; but rather let men endeavor an endless progress or endeavor an endless progress or proficience in bothproficience in both.’ .’ Sir Francis Sir Francis BaconBacon

Impact of Impact of naturalism on naturalism on 1919thth century century philosophyphilosophy

Social DarwinismSocial Darwinism English philosopher English philosopher Herbert SpencerHerbert Spencer applied applied

Darwin’s ideas of Darwin’s ideas of natural selection to natural selection to societysociety

Believed that nature determined society and Believed that nature determined society and was based on the was based on the “survival of the fittest”“survival of the fittest”

The The “best” human beings“best” human beings would naturally would naturally emerge as superior emerge as superior

Spencer believed that social programs to Spencer believed that social programs to assist the poor interfered with the assist the poor interfered with the natural natural order- natural selection order- natural selection By helping weak and inferior humans we would By helping weak and inferior humans we would

damage the purity of the human racedamage the purity of the human race

Herbert Spencer in his Herbert Spencer in his own words.own words.

““This survival of the This survival of the fittest, which I have fittest, which I have here sought to here sought to express in mechanical express in mechanical terms, is that which terms, is that which Mr. Darwin has called Mr. Darwin has called "natural selection, or "natural selection, or the preservation of the preservation of favored races in the favored races in the struggle for life."struggle for life."

Eugenics in North Eugenics in North Carolina Carolina

Marxism - Economic Marxism - Economic Theory Theory

Karl Marx-Karl Marx- German philosopher German philosopher Proposed that Proposed that material forcesmaterial forces alone alone

defined history and societydefined history and society History was nothing more than the history History was nothing more than the history

of of “class struggle” “class struggle” Two classes in society Two classes in society

BourgeoisieBourgeoisie (upper middle class) (upper middle class) OPPRESSIONOPPRESSION of the of the proletariatproletariat (poorer working class)(poorer working class)

Karl MarxKarl Marx

Marx’s ideasMarx’s ideas RevolutionRevolution was the key to social and economic was the key to social and economic

changechange Society would only improve with theSociety would only improve with the

Abolition of private propertyAbolition of private property Anti-capitalism – seen as an instrument of Anti-capitalism – seen as an instrument of

oppression oppression

Religion was nothing but another form of Religion was nothing but another form of bourgeois oppressionbourgeois oppression of the working class and of the working class and poorpoor Marx called Marx called religion the “religion the “opiate” (drug)opiate” (drug) of the of the

peoplepeople and a tool of oppression and a tool of oppression Atheistic and materialistic worldview Atheistic and materialistic worldview

““All animals are equal but some All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.” animals are more equal than others.”

Animal FarmAnimal Farm by George Orwell by George Orwell

IMPACT OF MAXISM ON 2Oth IMPACT OF MAXISM ON 2Oth CENTURY POLITICAL CENTURY POLITICAL

REVOLUTIONSREVOLUTIONS MARXIST RUSSIAN REVOLUTION – MARXIST RUSSIAN REVOLUTION – SOVIET UNION AND EASTERN SOVIET UNION AND EASTERN

EUROPE EUROPE MARXIST CHINESES REVOLUTION- MARXIST CHINESES REVOLUTION-

MAOMAO NORTH KOREANORTH KOREA VIETNAMVIETNAM CUBACUBA MAXISTS REGIMES IN SOUTH AND MAXISTS REGIMES IN SOUTH AND

CENTRAL AMERICA AND AFRICACENTRAL AMERICA AND AFRICA

Sigmund Freud and Sigmund Freud and PsychoanalysisPsychoanalysis

1856-1939- Vienna, Austria1856-1939- Vienna, Austria Raised in a devout Jewish Raised in a devout Jewish

family family Studied to become a doctorStudied to become a doctor Became a strong voice for Became a strong voice for

naturalism and the secular naturalism and the secular worldview worldview

influenced by Darwinism influenced by Darwinism Work focused on Work focused on

scientifically scientifically understanding the nature understanding the nature of the human mind and of the human mind and consciousnessconsciousness

Freud in his own wordsFreud in his own words ““But scientific work is the only road which can But scientific work is the only road which can

lead us to a knowledge of reality….”lead us to a knowledge of reality….” The The Future of an IllusionFuture of an Illusion

““Religion is an illusion and it derives its strength Religion is an illusion and it derives its strength from the fact that it falls in with our instinctual from the fact that it falls in with our instinctual desires. “desires. “

““I have found little that is "good" about human I have found little that is "good" about human beings on the whole. In my experience most of beings on the whole. In my experience most of them are trash, no matter whether they publicly them are trash, no matter whether they publicly subscribe to this or that ethical doctrine or to subscribe to this or that ethical doctrine or to none at all. That is something that you cannot say none at all. That is something that you cannot say aloud, or perhaps even think. “ aloud, or perhaps even think. “

Freud’s workFreud’s work The Interpretation of DreamsThe Interpretation of Dreams

(published in 1900)(published in 1900) Proposed that humans experience sexual Proposed that humans experience sexual

desires and fantasies as infants and desires and fantasies as infants and childrenchildren

Believed that most psychological problems Believed that most psychological problems were the result of were the result of repressed sexualityrepressed sexuality

Freud saw civilization as a product of Freud saw civilization as a product of repressed and sublimated aggression repressed and sublimated aggression and sexual driveand sexual drive

Impact of naturalism on Impact of naturalism on worldviewworldview

Scientific : complete reliance on Scientific : complete reliance on empiricismempiricism

Complete confidence in Complete confidence in human reasonhuman reason Driven by the notion of Driven by the notion of human progresshuman progress

(material progress) (material progress) HumanisticHumanistic in focus in focus SecularSecular- no need for God- no need for God MaterialisticMaterialistic-material forces are seen as -material forces are seen as

the driving force for life, history, etc. the driving force for life, history, etc.

Science and Reason As the Science and Reason As the Path to Truth and Path to Truth and

KnowledgeKnowledge

CURRENT CURRENT OUTSPOKEN OUTSPOKEN

PROPONENTS OF PROPONENTS OF THE THE

NATURALISTIC NATURALISTIC WORLDVIEWWORLDVIEW

RICHARD DAWKINS RICHARD DAWKINS OXFORD OXFORD

UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY PROFESSORPROFESSOR

SCHOLAR IN THE SCHOLAR IN THE FIELD OF FIELD OF EVOLUTIONARY EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY BIOLOGY

SEES RELGION AS SEES RELGION AS THE THE “ROOT OF “ROOT OF ALL EVIL”ALL EVIL”

DAWKINS IN HIS OWN DAWKINS IN HIS OWN WORDSWORDS

'Religious people split into three main 'Religious people split into three main groups when faced with science. I groups when faced with science. I shall label them the "know-nothings", shall label them the "know-nothings", the "know-alls", and the "no-the "know-alls", and the "no-contests". contests".

"Faith is the great cop-out, the great "Faith is the great cop-out, the great excuse to evade the need to think and excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence. Faith is belief in evaluate evidence. Faith is belief in spite of, even perhaps because of, the spite of, even perhaps because of, the lack of evidence."lack of evidence."

Dawkins in the Dawkins in the God God DelusionDelusion

““The God of the Old Testament is The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bullycapriciously malevolent bully.” .”

SAM HARRIS SAM HARRIS

SAM HARRIS IN HIS OWN SAM HARRIS IN HIS OWN WORDSWORDS

““Religion is nothing more than bad Religion is nothing more than bad concepts held in place of good ones for concepts held in place of good ones for all time. It is the denial—at once full of all time. It is the denial—at once full of hope and full of fear—of the vastitude of hope and full of fear—of the vastitude of human ignorance”human ignorance”

Unfortunately, religion casts more Unfortunately, religion casts more shadows than light on this territory.  shadows than light on this territory.  Rather than find real reasons for human Rather than find real reasons for human solidarity, faith offers us a solidarity solidarity, faith offers us a solidarity born of tribal and tribalizing fictions.born of tribal and tribalizing fictions.

CHRISTOPHER CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS HITCHENS

HITCHENS IN HIS OWN HITCHENS IN HIS OWN WORDSWORDS

““I will not play with the toys. Don’t bring I will not play with the toys. Don’t bring the toys to my house. Don’t say my the toys to my house. Don’t say my children must play with the toys. Enough children must play with the toys. Enough with clerical and religious bullying and with clerical and religious bullying and intimidation.”intimidation.”

““Intelligent design? Babies are not born Intelligent design? Babies are not born beautiful (says the God of the Bible), they beautiful (says the God of the Bible), they need to be sawn a bit.”need to be sawn a bit.”

““The mildest criticism of religion is also The mildest criticism of religion is also the most radical and the most devastating the most radical and the most devastating one.”one.”

HITCHENS ON THE DEATH HITCHENS ON THE DEATH OF JERRY FALWELLOF JERRY FALWELL

““The discovery of the carcass The discovery of the carcass of Jerry Falwell on the floor of of Jerry Falwell on the floor of an obscure office in Virginia an obscure office in Virginia has almost zero significance, has almost zero significance, except perhaps for two except perhaps for two categories of the species categories of the species labeled “credulous idiot.”labeled “credulous idiot.”

SOME PARTING SOME PARTING WORDSWORDS

““Thus in the very act of trying to prove that Thus in the very act of trying to prove that God did not exist--in other words, that the God did not exist--in other words, that the whole of reality was senseless--I found I was whole of reality was senseless--I found I was forced to assume that one part of reality--forced to assume that one part of reality--namely namely my idea of justice-my idea of justice--was full of sense. -was full of sense. Consequently atheism turns out to be too Consequently atheism turns out to be too simple. simple. If the whole universe has no If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaningthat it has no meaning: just as, if there were : just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark. Dark would be without meaning.” was dark. Dark would be without meaning.” -- -C.S. Lewis -C.S. Lewis Mere ChristianityMere Christianity Book I Book I

“The first gulp from the glass of natural sciences will turn you into an atheist, but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you.”  Werner Heisenberg

father of quantum

mechanics

““That's the whole problem That's the whole problem with science. You've got a with science. You've got a

bunch of empiricists trying bunch of empiricists trying to describe things of to describe things of

unimaginable wonder.”unimaginable wonder.”