SH+P6+2014+Naturalism

Naturalism Hsin-Yu Chen Aim - Naturalism is the belief that anything and everything is natural, occurs for a reason and can be scientifically proven. The denotation of naturalism is stated as, “A theory denying that an event or object has a supernatural significance; specifically: the doctrine that scientific laws are adequate to account for all phenomena” (“Naturalism”). This allows for the common human to understand what naturalism is. However, in looking through a philosophical perspective, naturalism is something that occurs everywhere to everything and “is the denial of the existence of supernatural causes” (Augustine). Therefore, everything may be connected by an imaginative, abstract thread. Then this thread connects every incident, circumstance, or occasion to the cause of a preceding event and has a reason to occur, along with being a cause to something else. The thought of this can either confuse or enhance the mind to think how something and everything can be explained through the scientific method. Whether or not everyone believes in naturalism, it can still be seen with every theory it takes to help humans understand the world a little better.

Naturalism Cameron Bost Historical -Where did this theory of naturalism come from? People believe that, “Naturalism is described in Literature as an attempt to apply scientific principles of objectivity and detachment to its study of human beings” (Campbell). Naturalism is a manner of writing and uses terms to describe the meanings of life. Naturalism is more focused on by the Darwinistic people and for science as well. Some people believe in religions as well as darwinism. Naturalism is under the category of realism. Although naturalism is a type of realism, they can be considered different as well a common philosophy. “Realism sought to be a faithful representation of life, while Naturalism was more like a "chronicle of despair. In a way, Naturalism can see as an exaggerated form of Realism” (Hubpages). The audience’s acceptive response may contribute to naturalism’s ongoing appearances in literature since it was exemplified in the late 1800s and will most likely continue to be the popular literary movement.

Naturalism Davian Peterson Cultural - Naturalism is a philosophical viewpoint in which everything that ever was, is, or will be, exists solely by natural occurrences. This excludes any religious or supernatural explanations for the universe. Josh Rahn says “The dominant theme of Naturalist literature is that persons are fated to whatever station in life their heredity, environment, and social conditions prepare them for” (Naturalism). In other words, literature that uses this philosophy is often about how everyone will eventually end up where their lives has prepared them to be. This is a settling idea that provides the readers with a new outlook on where they will end up later or how being brought up affected where they are now. It does this without suggesting that people have no control over where their life is going which can be a very unsettling feeling. People like to know that their decisions contribute to their own lives. Without that mindset, people could lack the motivation to improve their lives and strive for what they are passionate about.

Naturalism Davian Peterson/Hsin-Yu Chen Audience - Naturalism, in the philosophical world, is one theory that uses the scientific method to prove how and why anything and everything occurs. This can include explaining how the world appeared or how life had first started from being stars to humans. In one article, naturalism is explained in how the connection between the laws of nature and humans exist. Thus concluding that naturalism is “heavily dependent on science for knowledge about reality” (Shook). Through this viewpoint, science is the main factor in showing how the world is supported by events that have happened from before. These events can include evolution, natural selection, creation of the food chain, and global warming. Then with using the scientific method and gathering enough evidence to provide for people, naturalism can very well explain how some life organisms work. Though not all occurrences have been proven scientifically yet, everyone can begin to wonder and understand how naturalism may work to define life, whether or not everyone believes in it.

Works Cited Augustine, Keith. "Naturalism." The Secular Web. The Secular Web, n.d. Web. 25 July 2014. Campbell, Donna M. "Naturalism in American Literature. " Literary Movements. Dept. of English, Washington State University. 4 July 2013. Web. 25 July 2014. "Compare and Contrast: The Similarities and Differences between Realism and Naturalism." HubPages. HubPages, 3 Dec. 2010. Web. 25 July 2014. "Naturalism." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 23 July 2014. Rahn, Josh. "Naturalism." - Literature Periods & Movements. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 July 2014. Shook, John R. "Naturalism and Science." Varieties of Naturalism. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2014.