Naturalism

Naturalism, in philosophy and art, is a worldview that emphasizes the observable and measurable aspects of reality, rejecting the supernatural or spiritual explanations. It posits that everything arises from natural properties and causes, and that only the natural world exists. This perspective is often characterized by a scientific approach, emphasizing empirical evidence and the laws of nature. In literature and art, naturalism often depicts characters and environments with unflinching realism, focusing on the influence of social, economic, and environmental factors on human behavior, frequently exploring themes of determinism, survival, and the struggle against societal constraints. It contrasts with idealism, which emphasizes mind and spirit over matter, and supernaturalism, which relies on beliefs in beings beyond the natural world.

Naturalism meaning with examples

• The novel, a stark example of literary naturalism, followed the life of a working-class family struggling against poverty and the brutal realities of industrial life. Their actions, driven by hunger and societal pressures, were depicted without romanticizing or moral judgment. The author employed detailed observations of their environment and carefully crafted dialogue to highlight the characters' struggles and their inevitable decline.
• Examining the scientific method is a form of naturalism because it relies on evidence rather than metaphysics and the supernatural, so the exploration into the depths of the earth. The geological surveys demonstrated a deep understanding of the earth's natural processes, confirming a naturalistic worldview rooted in observational data, revealing a world governed by natural laws and not by divine intervention, which highlighted the rejection of supernatural causes and relied on demonstrable and repeatable explanations.
• The artist, embracing naturalism, captured the raw beauty of the natural world. The painting depicted a sunlit landscape, with meticulous detail in the flora and fauna. The artist avoided any idealized representation, instead choosing to render the scene as realistically as possible, focusing on the physical qualities of light, shadow, and texture to evoke a sense of authenticity and immediacy.
• Philosophically, naturalism advocates that everything that exists is of a material nature and is subject to the laws of physics. Therefore, the ethical implications of the philosophy reflect the lack of the need for a transcendent authority. This would mean that morality arises through social interactions and evolutionary processes, rejecting the notion of inherent moral laws.
• Many documentaries present the world in the most honest manner possible; a pure form of naturalism. This can include the gritty realities of poverty, violence, or disease without judgment. A naturalistic approach provides viewers with a sense of the raw world to allow them to come to their own conclusions about the subject matter.