Key Characteristics of Non-Naturalism
Non-naturalism is a philosophical position that rejects the notion that the world is composed solely of natural entities that operate according to physical laws. Instead, non-naturalists argue that there are aspects of reality that cannot be accounted for by naturalism, such as consciousness, value, and moral obligations.
Key Characteristics:
1. Transcendence of the Natural World:
- Non-naturalism posits that there are aspects of reality that exist beyond the physical world.
- These aspects include mental phenomena, such as consciousness, beliefs, and desires, as well as abstract entities, such as numbers, propositions, and moral values.
2. Non-Reductivism:
- Non-naturalists reject the notion that mental and abstract entities can be reduced to physical entities.
- They argue that these entities have unique properties that cannot be described in terms of physical properties.
3. Emergentism vs. Supervenience:
- Emergentism: Some non-naturalists argue that certain properties emerge from physical interactions but cannot be reduced to them.
- Supervenience: Others argue that mental and abstract entities supervene on physical entities, meaning they cannot exist independently of physical ones.
4. Realism vs. Anti-Realism:
- Realism: Non-natural realists believe that mental and abstract entities exist objectively, independently of human minds.
- Anti-Realism: Non-natural anti-realists argue that these entities do not exist independently of human consciousness or language.
5. Phenomenal Qualia:
- Non-naturalism emphasizes the importance of phenomenal qualia, the subjective experiences of consciousness.
- These experiences, such as redness or the taste of coffee, cannot be fully accounted for by physical properties.
6. Value and Morality:
- Non-naturalism often rejects the idea that values and moral obligations can be grounded in natural facts.
- Instead, they argue that these concepts are objective or non-natural, and may exist independently of human desires or interests.
7. Metaphysical Role:
- Non-naturalism plays a significant role in metaphysical frameworks, offering alternative explanations for the nature of reality.
- It challenges the traditional dichotomy between mind and body, and provides a metaphysical basis for mental, abstract, and ethical phenomena.
Implications:
Non-naturalism has implications for various disciplines, including philosophy of mind, ethics, metaphysics, and philosophy of language. It raises questions about the nature of reality, the relationship between mind and body, and the objectivity of values and moral obligations.