Naturalism is the philosophy of Secular Humanists. It claims that all of reality is composed of matter and that everything can be explained by science. Denying all supernaturalism, absolutes, and religion Naturalism places all faith in science. Science has become their religion. Many critics argue that it takes as much faith to rely on science as a religion. How do you explain reality, truth, and knowledge when your philosophy undermines all of these vital facts of life? Instead of adding to the understanding of man, naturalism has merely clouded the lines between everything. A truth is no longer a absolute truth. Here a complication is found, by claiming that Secular Humanism is based upon science but then stating no absolutes exist is ridiculous. Naturalism provides an inaccurate view of reality, truth, and knowledge.
First of all, naturalism has a limited view of reality. It denies all existence of the supernatural and therefore throws away all possibilities of a Creator or design. By ignoring supernatural and using science as the explanation, naturalism provides an inaccurate description of man. Naturalism states that man's "mind is strictly a physical phenomenon." (Noebel 104). If man's mind is purely physical then how can personality, emotions, and morality be explained? If man is merely evolving, how can you predict the mutations that will develop? How can mutations explain the complex nature of man? Without the existence of the supernatural, God is "sheer folly" according to Humanists. (Noebel 102). Thus, naturalism proclaims that the cosmos randomly produced life, but then they contradict themselves and state "She [cosmos] cannot create but eternally transforms." (Noebel 103). The flaws are obvious. They is still no logical, scientific explanation for the creation of the world. By ignoring all signs of the supernatural, naturalism fails to explain the basics of reality.
Truth is therefore skewed. Naturalists say truth is only found through observations. Things that can be measured and witnessed. Truth only exists in the physical realm. Naturalism requires that science be the basis for all actions and thoughts. But how does science explain logic or justice? These ideas cannot be measured or proven scientifically, but very few would deny their existence. Science fails to provide reasoning for the evil within the world, the good, and the complex. The physical is not the only thing that exists and therefore cannot be the reference for all things. To be able to state that science is the source of all truth requires more faith than to explain the existence of the supernatural with a Creator. If no moral truth exists, than what happens to the justice department, education, the armed forces? Morality exists, and naturalism foolishly refuses to acknowledge it. If it becomes subjective and scientific, how will truth remain valuable?
All of these ideas build off one another. Like the idea of dominos, if one falls down everyone tumbles. Knowledge is based off truth, but if truth fails to accurately describe reality, how can knowledge by true? Noebel explains this problem through epistemology, the theory of knowledge and how it answers the question How do we obtain knowledge? (104) If knowledge is only obtained through science, how do we find information about the nature and character of man? Naturalism cannot answer this question, and merely responds that science is inseparable from knowledge. Because science is constantly changing, how can knowledge be trusted? New discoveries and advancements will destroy all of the knowledge you once possessed. True knowledge is elusive and untrustworthy. Imagine living that way.
Finally, naturalism is hopeless. To live life purely for community's sake or do find knowledge, where is the satisfaction or security. When life's troubles come in, how do you find peace? Naturalism destroys the system of morality governing the world and the meaning of joy and hope. Naturalism produces only physical answers, so where will you find answers to everything else?
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