Methodological naturalism
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Methodological naturalism is a strategy [1] for studying the world, by which scientists choose not to consider supernatural causes - even as a remote possibility.
According to Christian philosopher Alvin Plantinga, "The philosophical doctrine of methodological naturalism holds that, for any study of the world to qualify as "scientific," it cannot refer to God's creative activity (or any sort of divine activity)." [2] The possibility of divine intervention in nature is not only neglected, but positively dismissed. [3]
External Links
- Methodological Naturalism? by Alvin Plantinga
- Methodological Naturalism? Part 2 by Alvin Plantinga
- Methodological Naturalism? by Alvin Plantinga - From Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 49 (September 1997): 143-154.
- The Rules of the Game by Carl Wieland
Notes
- ↑ Roger Pennock declared that "science is not based upon a dogmatic ontological or metaphysical naturalism, but rather makes use of naturalism only in a heuristic, methodological manner." [1]
- ↑ http://www.arn.org/docs/odesign/od181/methnat181.htm
- ↑ "The methods of science, it is claimed, "give us no purchase" on theological propositions--even if the latter are true--and theology therefore cannot influence scientific explanation or theory justification. Alvin Plantinga, Department of Philosophy, Decio Hall, University of Notre Dame