Is metaphysical naturalism a worldview that is ultimately based on faith?

[Gambit]

Looking up metaphysical naturalism, I don't see how that relates to materalism.

Metaphysical naturalism, also called ontological naturalism, philosophical naturalism and SCIENTIFIC MATERIALISM is a worldview which holds that there is nothing but natural elements, principles, and relations of the kind studied by the natural sciences

(source: Wikipedia: Metaphysical naturalism)

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Read this in full.

Please post Your description. Im not talking to Wiki or the Bible or any text. How would you define it for the OP?

I read the definition when I looked it up. I know it says its connected. I can read. I dont know How it is connected. I also dont care for wiki.

The nature of life is only defined by physical science. Okay. Yes. We can say there is some faith, because, like I already said, we dont know everything about life. We have to trust what we know is correct and go from there.

Read this in full.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

@Gambit assuming I will understand what You mean by bolding what someone else writes makes it very hard to know Your views not Wiki and not any other text. One big pet peeve from christians and everyone else. If you are posting an debate and explain by either comment with your quote or evidence or explain it in your own words.

It decreases the risk of two people interpreting the same text differently. It also keeps the point of the argument based on the OP argument.

 

[Sapiens]

Metaphysical naturalism is an oxymoron, scientific naturalism is based on uniformitarianism which can only be inferred but never proven in absolute terms, is that faith? I say no. ”Faith is believing what you know ain't so." - Mark Twain.

.

 

[Gambit]

Read this in full.

Metaphysical naturalism and scientific materialism are the same thing. I cited a source to support this claim. What exactly is it that you don't understand?

 

[Gambit]

Metaphysical naturalism is an oxymoron.

Your response above reveals your philosophical ignorance.

 

[vaguelyhumanoid]

I don't like the term "naturalism" being used as a synonym for physicalism. That's assuming that mystical phenomena are outside of (specifically "above") nature, which I don't agree with. Anyways, if you look from the vantage point of absolute skepticism, all metaphysical claims are based on faith. But physicalism (what is called naturalism) is more "common sense", at least in the modern West.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Metaphysical naturalism and scientific materialism are the same thing. I cited a source to support this claim. What exactly is it that you don't understand?

I see it says its the same thing. I dont see How, thats all.

Its not important.

 

[leibowde84]

There is no verifiable evidence for either dark matter or dark energy. Yet, the majority of physicists believe that both exist.

That is not true. There is a plethora of evidence supporting the existence of dark matter. http://www.universetoday.com/119297/how-do-we-know-dark-matter-exists/

 

[Sunstone]

As I understand it, metaphysical naturalism refers to the speculation that all that exists is nature, and as such it seems to me an article that can neither be demonstrated to be the case nor to not be the case, but must rather be taken or rejected on the basis of whim, faith, flipping a coin, etc.

 

[prometheus11]

I'm not playing silly word games. If you don't have fairly good evidence for what you believe, then you're utilizing faith. It's a handy tool and a good one to employ at times.

There's lots of evidence for dark matter and dark energy. The names exist BECAUSE the effects are so constant, measurable, and ubiquitous. We SEE them work 24 hours a day at every point in the universe.

 

[Gambit]

That is not true. There is a plethora of evidence supporting the existence of dark matter. http://www.universetoday.com/119297/how-do-we-know-dark-matter-exists/

No, you're wrong. Dark matter is only hypothetical. It has never been directly detected.

 

[Gambit]

I see it says its the same thing.

Good.

 

[Jumi]

No, but it can be.

 

[leibowde84]

No, you're wrong. Dark matter is only hypothetical. It has never been directly detected.

Did you read the article. I would suggest doing so, as it clearly explains the evidence and how dark matter is detectable.

 

[leibowde84]

No, you're wrong. Dark matter is only hypothetical. It has never been directly detected.

Just because we can't see it doesn't mean we can't detect it.

 

[Gambit]

Just because we can't see it doesn't mean we can't detect it.

You're wrong. I have already provided you with a link to demonstrate that, but apparently you did not bother to read it. Therefore, I will quote it (see below)

Dark matter is a hypothetical kind of matter that cannot be seen with telescopes but accounts for most of the matter in the universe. The existence and properties of dark matter are inferred from its gravitational effects on visible matter, on radiation, and on the large-scale structure of the universe. Dark matter has not been detected directly, making it one of the greatest mysteries in modern astrophysics.

(source: Wikipedia: Dark matter)

Did you read that dark matter is "hypothetical" and "has not been detected directly?" That it is "one of the greatest mysteries in modern astrophysics?"

That there is something rather than nothing is more than enough evidence to posit the existence of God.

 

[Gambit]

Did you read the article. I would suggest doing so, as it clearly explains the evidence and how dark matter is detectable.

Did you bother to read the very first line of the article? It explicitly states that "dark matter can NOT be seen or detected by any of our instruments." (source: "How Do We Know Dark Matter Exists?" by Fraser Cain on March 12, 2015, "Universe Today")

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Good.

Completely different meanings. They are related. They are not the same. I ask again. How are they the same?

Philisophical materalism

The theory that matter and energy are the only objects existing within the universe, and that mental and spiritual phenomena are explainable as functions of the nervous system of people

Natualism

Only natural things operate the world rather than spiritual

Metaphysical philosophy

A division of philosophy that is concerned with the fundamental nature of reality.

That would mean metaphysic naturalism is looking at the nature of reality without spiritual causes? If so, are they saying this view is a metalistic view?

Id say naturalism is based on materalist view. They are not the same they just have the same approach of defining characteristics of reality (metaphysics).

The answer to your OP

You Dont need faith to believe materalism. Its right there in front of you.

You may need faith in naturalism. How can one proove that there is no spiritual part of the world?

 

[Rick O'Shez]

You could argue that metaphysical naturalism is based on a lack of faith, just relying on empirical observation and not speculating about the existence of supernatural stuff.