naturalism

Meaning

Noun

• A state of nature; conformity to nature.
• The doctrine that denies a supernatural agency in the miracles and revelations recorded in religious texts and in spiritual influences.
• Any system of philosophy which refers the phenomena of nature as a blind force or forces acting necessarily or according to fixed laws, excluding origination or direction by a will.
• A doctrine which denies a strong separation between scientific and philosophic methodologies and/or topics
• A movement in theatre, film, and literature that seeks to replicate a believable everyday reality, as opposed to such movements as romanticism or surrealism, in which subjects may receive highly symbolic or idealistic treatment.
• naturism, nudism, social nudity.
• The belief in natural law.

Origin

• From natural + -ism. Compare French naturalisme.