naturalism
/'nætʃrəlizm/
Definition
- Noun:
- An artistic and literary movement: A style, particularly prominent in 19th-century France, that aims to depict subjects with a high degree of realism, objectivity, and factual detail, often focusing on the influence of environment and heredity on human life.
- A philosophical doctrine: The belief that the universe and all phenomena within it can be explained entirely through natural laws and scientific principles, without any need for supernatural or spiritual explanations.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Artistic/Literary):
- The novel's naturalism is evident in its unflinching portrayal of urban poverty.
- Émile Zola is considered a leading figure of literary naturalism.
- Noun (Philosophical):
- His worldview is rooted in naturalism, rejecting any metaphysical explanations for existence.
- Methodological naturalism is a cornerstone of modern science.
Advanced Usage
- Methodological Naturalism: The principle, especially in science, of seeking explanations for observable phenomena solely within the framework of natural causes and laws, without making claims about the supernatural.
- The theory of evolution operates under the assumption of methodological naturalism.
- Ethical Naturalism: The philosophical position that ethical terms (like "good" or "right") can be defined or explained by reference to natural properties.
- The philosopher argued for ethical naturalism, claiming moral facts are facts about human well-being.
Variants and Related Words
- Naturalist (noun):
- A person who studies or is an expert in natural history (e.g., biology, geology).
- An adherent or practitioner of the artistic or literary style of naturalism.
- Naturalistic (adjective):
- Characterized by a close, detailed observation and representation of nature or real life.
- The film's naturalistic acting made the characters feel authentic.
Synonyms
- Realism (in art/literature, though naturalism is often seen as an extreme form of realism).
- Materialism (in philosophy, a closely related concept emphasizing physical matter).
- Scientism (the belief in the universal applicability of the scientific method).
Related Phrases
- Philosophical naturalism: Often used to specify the doctrine as a comprehensive worldview, as opposed to its artistic meaning.
- He dedicated his career to defending philosophical naturalism.
Noun
-
an artistic movement in 19th century France; artists and writers strove for detailed realistic and factual description
-
(philosophy) the doctrine that the world can be understood in scientific terms without recourse to spiritual or supernatural explanations
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
Từ gần giống
Từ chứa "naturalism"
