Tim Ikeda wrote:
>In my reading, I've mostly encountered "materialism" as the opinion
>that everything in the universe can be explained by physical laws,
>or that everything has a physical basis (including such things as
>thought & feelings).
>In that respect, geologists (physical scientists by definition),
>tend to be hardcore materialists, just like any biologist -- and
>possibly more so. I think one could be a materialist (at least with
>respect to how things function in this particular universe) and also
>believe that the universe was neither accidental nor without purpose.
>For example, a wind-up toy is an object with a material basis and
>a "purpose".
>Philosophical naturalism is the term I think you're searching for.
>Personally, I don't like the use of "materialism" by Johnson et al.
>because 1) Philosophical naturalism is a better description, and
>2) "Materialism" has another meaning attached to it, eg. the
>idea that having wordly possessions are what makes you happy.
>These are different things.
Hi Tim,
You are right. Materialism has derogatory connotations--hardly appropriate
since I argue that even philosophical naturalism, of which I am skeptical,
is a legitimate world view. My objection is to having it imposed upon
society as the more "scientific" philosophy.
How is this for a definition?
Methodological naturalism recognizes science can only deal with measurable
phenomena, while philosophical naturalism claims nothing exists which can't
be measured.
. Most people arguing for philosophical naturalism, seem to have trouble
seeing the difference in the two--even after specific definitions. Generally,
this debate concerns public opinion, and is not about science, nor conducted
by scientists. Probably philosophical naturalists are a minority--maybe even
a minority in the scientific community. I feel philosophical naturalists
have used intimidation to try to delegitamitize other views.
Bertvan
P.S. I always enjoy your posts, and am heartened to know there are scientists
like you out there. (I always suspected there were.)