Naturalism came into existence through the social world by a French vocal advocate, Emile Zola, in 1840-1902. Naturalism in philosophy is the application of scientific reasoning in the world with the perception of the reality of the world around us. 1 Charles Darwin is a known naturalist who developed the scientific theory of evolution to explain biological change. He believed that natural selection was the foundation of modern evolutionary studies. He wrote a book to account for the origin of man, the origin of species in 1895 2 . This book had a significant influence on modern western society and views. Everything that revolves and happened around the world, it is because of nature’s influences. The world simply plays by nature’s rules. There is no evidence an immaterial soul is controlling human body and brain. Science does not show evidence for a supernatural being more reason to believe that everything happening around us seems to be monitored and conditioned by nature. Thus, the world is viewed and understood only through objective science. In naturalism, nothing is real unless evidence is brought to prove it does exist. 3
I believe nature gives us a good reason to believe in its existence. I don’t believe in ghosts or spirits. However, I believe in strange people. Science reveals the existence of situations or us. As naturalists, not everything that nature reveals about us or our situation will be appealing, but that is what we get for not wanting to be deceived. There are positive results of being a naturalist, though. Our sense of connection with nature gives us greater control over our situations. Realizing that nature controls us, improves human engagement in all dimensions.
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Discovering oneself as a full natural creature means discarding any trace of super-naturalism about who you are. A naturalist discounts the existence of the supernatural, therefore discounting the existence of anything supernatural in a human being, for example, a soul. There is no evidence based on scientific findings that there is anything beyond a human brain and body that evolves naturally or culturally tuned by social circumstances. Nature influences the thoughts, personality, behavior and feelings using culture and biology at a particular time. Naturalistic writers believed that the forces that govern human lives can be studied and understood. There is no evidence to support that it is the brain that controls our beings. Our stories are ultimately the story of nature. We can trace our origin of life through the evidence-based stories told by known naturalists. 4
Naturalistic view allows the reality of a human being to exist. For example, humans have a right to choice, imagination, impulse control and rationality. Without a soul or mental in charge naturalist will carry on without succumbing to fatalism. Being a naturalist does not undermine our status as causes in our right. We possess the effects on the world that only we can control. Human beings are like gods with supernatural powers to transcend the cause and effects of our actions. Therefore, naturalism does not deny us exercising our powers. The brain does not control the physical workings. Therefore, nature is the source of consciousness and the choices we make. Nature assumes the form of us and as her transient expressions; we necessarily play by the natural rule.
Religion is not founded on facts or truths and it only needs to be accepted by a group. As naturalists we have our religious practices such as meditation even prayers. However, our religious beliefs differ. It is clear that some religious naturalists are comfortable with the language of God while others are not. We commune with the inner divine deeply, especially when we are in a state of creative flow. We engage in our physical actions, when writing, dancing, and conversing among other activities. We are in no difference when it comes to religion. To us, we consider the natural world as holy. We value most the human consciousness and the human collective. Therefore tend to live our lives in a way that serve the future of the whole. Core beliefs about self-influence the body. The convictions, in turn, influence how we treat ourselves, strangers, peers, and family. Naturalists experience a hard time being satisfied with super naturalistic religions. 5 Therefore, the quest for a coherent life philosophy is met with science and skepticism. Most naturalists have a sense of the divine that comes through intimate communion with the natural world. They are mostly termed as religious naturalists. Some, however, do not completely believe in the existence of God. 6
A naturalist bases his/her beliefs on evidence-based stories and experiences. The naturalists can positively affirm that we are fully natural creatures and the fact that nature is enough. The naturalists also understand that we do not need to be under someone’s authority to secure freedom, morality, human rights or any moral responsibility. Naturalists should stay true to science as the most reliable means of representing reality and realizing ourselves. Naturalism involves a better deal than atheism since we play by nature’s rule which is recognizable. The naturalistic understanding and acceptance of, our wholly caused, nature is directly at odds even among free thinkers that human beings have the divine free will. 7
Those who do not believe in the existence of super-natural such as spirits, souls, and gods are naturalists. Personally, I do not believe in life after death.We should only believe in the existence of things which there is evidence of its existence. Nature knows best and should not be interrupted by human beings. In the world today, humans are trying to improve nature, it is only causing nature destruction.
Bibliography
Barlow, Connie. “An Immense Journey Religious Naturalism and the Great Story.” The Great Story. Accessed April 29, 2016 . http://thegreatstory.org/ReligiousNaturalism.html
Berg, Linda R., Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, and Eldra Pearl Solomon. 2014. Biology .
Clark, Thomas. “Living in Light of Naturalism.” Naturalism: Nature is Enough. Accessed April 29, 2016. http://www.naturalism.org/applied-naturalism/living-in-the-light-of-naturalism
Clark, Tom. “Worldview Naturalism in a Nutshell.” Memeing Naturalism. Accessed April 29, 2016. http://centerfornaturalism.blogspot.co.ke/2008/11/worldview-naturalism-in-nutshell.html
Hunt, Jonathan. "Naturalism." New Dictionary of the History of Ideas. Acessed April 29, 2016. http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3424300533.html
