Naturalism

Definition

Naturalism is a philosophical viewpoint that emphasizes the idea that everything arises from natural properties and causes, and supernatural or spiritual explanations are excluded or discounted. This perspective often extends to understanding knowledge, where a priori knowledge, which is independent of experience, may be examined through a naturalistic lens that prioritizes empirical observation and scientific inquiry over abstract reasoning.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Naturalism often argues that all knowledge should be rooted in empirical evidence and observable phenomena.
2. In discussing a priori knowledge, naturalism challenges the notion that such knowledge can exist independently of experiential validation.
3. Philosophers associated with naturalism, like W.V.O. Quine, have criticized the traditional separation of a priori and a posteriori knowledge.
4. Naturalists maintain that human cognition and understanding can be explained through evolutionary biology and psychology rather than metaphysical considerations.
5. The approach of naturalism can lead to skepticism about the validity of traditional epistemological claims that rely on non-naturalistic foundations.

Review Questions

• How does naturalism challenge traditional views of a priori knowledge?
  • Naturalism challenges traditional views of a priori knowledge by asserting that all forms of understanding must ultimately connect back to empirical evidence and experience. This perspective suggests that even concepts typically deemed self-evident or intuitively known must be validated through observation or experimentation. Philosophers like Quine argue against the strict separation of a priori knowledge from empirical inquiry, emphasizing that our understanding is deeply rooted in the natural world.
• Discuss the implications of adopting a naturalistic viewpoint for epistemology.
  • Adopting a naturalistic viewpoint for epistemology implies a significant shift toward prioritizing scientific methods and empirical validation in the pursuit of knowledge. It questions the legitimacy of traditional epistemic claims that rely on metaphysical or abstract reasoning. By emphasizing the role of observable phenomena, this approach often leads to skepticism about certain philosophical concepts, encouraging a more integrated understanding between science and philosophy.
• Evaluate how naturalism might influence our understanding of the relationship between human cognition and knowledge acquisition.
  • Naturalism influences our understanding of the relationship between human cognition and knowledge acquisition by suggesting that cognitive processes are not merely abstract functions but are shaped by biological evolution and environmental interactions. This perspective posits that our ways of knowing and understanding are fundamentally linked to our physical existence and experiences within the natural world. It implies that cognitive abilities are adaptations that have evolved to help us navigate and make sense of our environment, thus framing knowledge acquisition as an ongoing interaction with nature rather than a purely intellectual endeavor.

Related terms

Empiricism:

A theory of knowledge that asserts that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience.

A Priori Knowledge: Knowledge that is independent of experience, often considered to be self-evident or universally true.

Scientific Realism: The view that the world described by science is the real world, and that scientific theories give us true descriptions of nature.