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In order to recognize the difference between Naturalism and Idealism, one must understand how each intertwines into the philosophical understanding of the world. Naturalism is defined as "the belief that reality consists of the natural world." On the other hand, Idealism is defined as "a set of beliefs which are a rigid system of the way life is "supposed to be" or "should be." Both of these terms had a significant value to two of the most important people involved in Philosophy, Aristotle and Plato.
Naturalism involves everything seen by the human eye. It is based upon space and time, nothing exists outside of that. Aristotle supported this term and further explained that motion is the most dominate and that everything is formed from materialism. He was the father of science and believed in form and matter. He fought against Plato's beliefs involving Idealism because he wanted proof. Naturalism has to do with reality, perception, truth, and material. These four play a major role in the true knowledge of naturalism. Everything in naturalism is driven by the laws of nature. For example, a form of naturalism would be water, it can be ice or carbonated, but no matter what it is still water in the eye of a human. Nature always acts with purpose, and the only solution to this is by discovering the true understanding of its essential purpose. By having a clear understanding of nature as it is, this can help determine a human's behavior.
Idealism involves everything that is real; something that is felt by a human. It is also a belief that one takes seriously, and holds onto. Belief is a main point with idealism; it is what drives humans to faith and hope. Senses also play a major role with idealism; they are what identifies natural things for a human being. Plato supported this and later added that nature has no morality but that everything relies on touch, smell, anything involving your senses. For example, justice, courage, and honesty cannot be felt with the hands of a human but rather felt with feelings. Also, idealism was a "source for all things" and faith was a huge factor in it.
Plato fought with Aristotle because Plato refused to believe in Aristotle's explanation of naturalism. Their beliefs were dissimilar and both felt that they were right with what they initially studied and believed in.
The similarities that are identified in are that they both have something to do with human's ability to form a conclusion of the things they observe. Idealism and Naturalism both have strong beliefs and results of why they work the way they do. Plato and Aristotle were alike in the sense that they both fought to prove a point about what their beliefs were. Both have a major significance in philosophy and are studied by college students to further our knowledge in philosophy. Also, in both there are forms. For Plato there is the immaterial, proof, form, nature, potential, and faith. Aristotle had six major ones; nature/science, form, earth, water, air, and fire. All have some effect on our world today.
The differences between the two are that one unlike the other has a sense of touch or smell, whereas the other (naturalism) includes purely vision, what is seem by the eye. Both are key factors in philosophy but are complete opposites when identifying with the outer world. They both have different jobs and aim at different thinks involved in either nature or the world. The other difference is that it is belief (idealism) VS what is actually in front of you (naturalism). When you believe in something you look to hold onto it sacred whereas what is right in front of you, there is no need for a belief.
Works Cited:
1) http://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/natural.htm
2) http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/naturalism.htm
Natualism believes things exist outside the mind,
ReplyDeletevs. Idealism believes that objects exist solely in the mind?
Is that correct?