Varieties of Methodological Naturalism Cover Image

Odmiany naturalizmu metodologicznego
Varieties of Methodological Naturalism

Author(s): Ernan McMullin
Subject(s): Philosophy
Published by: Instytut Filozofii, Uniwersytet Zielonogórski
Keywords: methodological naturalism; ontological naturalism; science; theology; religion; evolutionary theory; intelligent design theory

Summary/Abstract: In this article our concern will be with the methodological version of naturalism only. This version has attained some prominence in the busy science-and-theology literature in recent years and it is in this context primarily that I propose to discuss it. Instead of making a direct ontological claim as to what does or does not exist, methodological naturalism bears instead on the proper approach to be followed in the pursuit of knowledge, taking the methods of the natural sciences in one way or another as the model. For many of those writing about the relationship of science and theology, the term „methodological naturalism” stands for the ways in which science exercises undue epistemic authority vis-à-vis theology, and hence it has become the prompt for heavy attack. What I shall propose is that several different issues have gradually become mixed together in the resultant de-bate. From the perspective of the religious believer, it would greatly help to disentangle three different positions that could be described as „methodological naturalism”, two of which merit support, I shall argue.

  • Issue Year: 2012
  • Issue No: 09
  • Page Range: 109-129
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Polish