User talk:FuelWagon/MN

This is a copy of the methodological naturalism page as of 13 Sept 2005. At that time, there is a edit war over whether or not the scientific method is supernatural and over whether the article should be merged with naturalism (philosophy).

Methodological naturalism (MN) refers to any method of inquiry or investigation or any procedure for gaining knowledge that uses only natural, physical, and material approaches and explanations. The scientific method as used in the natural sciences is often seen as an example of a method that fits in the category of methodological naturalism. This term is mostly used by creationists.

Definition
Methodology is distinct from ontology. Methodology relates to accepted procedures. Ontology is a matter of whether something exists. MN defines its procedures for investigation to use natural methods for finding natural answers to questions within natural science. MN says nothing about the existence (ontological supernaturalism) or nonexistence (ontological naturalism) of the supernatural.

Ontological naturalism is sometimes called "metaphysical naturalism". Atheism is an example of Ontological Naturalism, because it is the belief in the non-existence of the supernatural. Ontological naturalism is also sometimes mistakenly called "philosophical naturalism" or just "naturalism". While philosophical naturalism requires ontological naturalism, methodological naturalism does not.


 * "Science does not produce evidence against God, Science and religion ask different questions" --Richard Dawkins, biologist and professor of public understanding of science at Oxford University.

But some argue that there is an implied connection:


 * "It (methodological naturalism) could just as well be called atheism, and is really a religion to be accepted on faith." --Institute for Creation Research

It is possible to be a methodological naturalist and an ontological supernaturalist at the same time. While a natural scientist would follow methodological naturalism, they may believe in God (ontological supernaturalism) or they may be an atheist (ontological naturalism).

History
The term "methodological naturalism" itself probably does not originate much earlier than the 1980s; Phillip E. Johnson acknowledges taking it (or "methodological atheism") from Nancey Murphy, a theologian with training in the philosophy of science. Arguably, MN itself dates to the Ionian pre-Socratic philosophers of the 4th century BCE; see, e.g., Jonathan Barnes's introduction to Early Greek Philosophy (Penguin), which describes them as subscribing to principles of empirical investigation that strikingly anticipate MN. Benjamin Wiker traces the historical development of the modern materialist perspective starting with the choice of the Epicureans to focus exclusively on the natural realm as a necessary step toward their goals; see his book "Moral Darwinism; How We Became Hedonists".

Criticism of Methodological Naturalism
Because MN limits itself to natural investigations, critics, such as the Institute for Creation Research and the Creation Science website, claim "MN cannot be justified as a normative principle for all types of science--without doing violence to science as a truth-seeking enterprise" . They say MN "could just as well be called atheism, and is really a religion to be accepted on faith" These critics argue that science should not limit itself to strictly natural causes in its investigations.

Proponents of MN admit that because MN excludes supernatural entities from its investigations, that it can make no determinations in that category.

But supporters defend MN saying it is "effective, powerful" "promoting successful investigation" and "an essential aspect of ... the study of the natural universe" They also view the history of science as showing "a progression from supernaturalism to naturalism" Supporters consider the alternative, methodological supernaturalism, as "positively ineffective and counter-productive, ... in attempts to understand the natural world" Category:Philosophy of science