methodological naturalism

Categories: Site glossary

the view that science is only concerned with explanations based on natural entities and mechanism.

This view does not reject the possible existence of the supernatural, but considers that supernatural entities/mechanisms are not valid as components of scientific accounts

not to be confused with metaphysical naturalism

Read about science and religion

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.