Naturalism vs. Idealism: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Naturalism emphasizes the physical world and scientific laws, while Idealism focuses on the mind, ideas, and consciousness as fundamental reality.
Key Differences
Naturalism is grounded in the physical, observable world, asserting that everything arises from natural properties and causes. Idealism posits that reality is mentally constructed or immaterial, emphasizing the central role of the mind.
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Naturalism relies on empirical evidence and scientific inquiry, valuing observable phenomena. In contrast, Idealism emphasizes the subjective experience and intellectual reasoning, often placing ideas over sensory experiences.
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Naturalism interprets reality as the sum of physical and biological processes. Idealism interprets reality as shaped by perception, ideas, and consciousness, often downplaying the material world.
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In art and literature, Naturalism seeks to depict life accurately without idealization, focusing on everyday experiences. Idealism in art and literature often portrays an idealized, perfected version of reality, emphasizing themes of beauty and morality.
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Naturalism often leads to ethical perspectives based on the natural world and human nature. Idealism can result in ethical frameworks that prioritize ideals and moral principles, sometimes detached from practical realities.
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Comparison Chart
Basis of Philosophy
Physical world and scientific laws
Mind, ideas, and consciousness
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Approach to Knowledge
Empirical evidence and scientific inquiry
Subjective experience and intellectual reasoning
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View of Reality
Reality as physical and biological processes
Reality shaped by perception and ideas
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Influence in Arts
Depiction of life without idealization
Portrayal of idealized, perfected reality
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Ethical Implications
Based on natural world and human nature
Based on ideals and moral principles
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Naturalism and Idealism Definitions
Naturalism
A philosophical viewpoint that everything arises from natural properties and causes.
Naturalism in science rejects supernatural explanations.
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Idealism
A philosophy that places importance on ideas and consciousness over physical reality.
Idealism in her teaching emphasized the power of ideas.
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Naturalism
Often associated with materialism and determinism.
Naturalism in his philosophy underlined a materialistic worldview.
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Idealism
Suggests that reality is a mental construct or fundamentally mental.
His Idealism led him to believe that our understanding shapes our reality.
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Naturalism
Emphasizes observation and empirical evidence in understanding the world.
Naturalism in his approach to research prioritized observable data.
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Idealism
Often involves the pursuit of higher ethical and moral principles.
Idealism in his activism was evident in his pursuit of justice and equality.
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Naturalism
Regards scientific laws as ruling the universe.
His belief in Naturalism led him to trust in the predictability of scientific laws.
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Idealism
In arts, it often represents things as they might be or should be rather than as they are.
His paintings reflected Idealism, portraying a more harmonious world.
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Naturalism
In literature and art, Naturalism depicts life realistically without idealization.
The novel's Naturalism is evident in its detailed portrayal of urban life.
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Idealism
In education, Idealism emphasizes the development of the mind and spirit.
The school's curriculum was based on Idealism, focusing on intellectual growth.
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Naturalism
The practice of describing precisely the actual circumstances of human life in literature.
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Idealism
The act or practice of envisioning things in an ideal and often impractical form.
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Naturalism
The practice of reproducing subjects as precisely as possible in the visual arts.
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Naturalism
The principles and methods of such a movement or of its adherents.
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Idealism
(Philosophy) The theory that the object of external perception, in itself or as perceived, consists of ideas.
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Naturalism
(Philosophy) The system of thought holding that all phenomena can be explained in terms of natural causes and laws.
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Idealism
The property of a person of having high ideals that are usually unrealizable or at odds with practical life.
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Naturalism
(Theology) The doctrine that all religious truths are derived from nature and natural causes and not from revelation.
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Idealism
The practice or habit of giving or attributing ideal form or character to things; treatment of things in art or literature according to ideal standards or patterns;—opposed to realism.
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Idealism
(philosophy) An approach to philosophical enquiry, which asserts that direct and immediate knowledge can only be had of ideas or mental pictures.
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Naturalism
The doctrine that denies a supernatural agency in the miracles and revelations recorded in religious texts and in spiritual influences.
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Naturalism
(philosophy) 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.
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Idealism
The system or theory that denies the existence of material bodies, and teaches that we have no rational grounds to believe in the reality of anything but ideas and their relations.
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Naturalism
(philosophy) A doctrine which denies a strong separation between scientific and philosophic methodologies and/or topics
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Idealism
The practice or habit of giving or attributing ideal form or character to things; treatment of things in art or literature according to ideal standards or patterns; - opposed to realism.
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Naturalism
(arts) 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.
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Idealism
A belief in the feasibility of the implementation of ideal principles and noble goals, and the practice or habit of pursuing such goals; - opposed to realism and cynicism.
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Idealism
(philosophy) the philosophical theory that ideas are the only reality
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Idealism
Impracticality by virtue of thinking of things in their ideal form rather than as they really are
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Idealism
Elevated ideals or conduct; the quality of believing that ideals should be pursued
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Naturalism
The doctrine of those who deny a supernatural agency in the miracles and revelations recorded in the Bible, and in spiritual influences; also, any system of philosophy which refers the phenomena of nature to a blind force or forces acting necessarily or according to fixed laws, excluding origination or direction by one intelligent will.
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Naturalism
The theory that art or literature should conform to nature; realism; also, the quality, rendering, or expression of art or literature executed according to this theory.
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Naturalism
The principles and characteristics professed or represented by a 19th-century school of realistic writers, notably by Zola and Maupassant, who aimed to give a literal transcription of reality, and laid special stress on the analytic study of character, and on the scientific and experimental nature of their observation of life.
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Naturalism
(philosophy) the doctrine that the world can be understood in scientific terms without recourse to spiritual or supernatural explanations
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Naturalism
An artistic movement in 19th century France; artists and writers strove for detailed realistic and factual description
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can Naturalism explain consciousness?
Naturalism often explains consciousness through biological and neurological processes.
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Can Idealism be practical?
Idealism can be practical when it informs ethical decision-making and inspires positive change.
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How does Idealism differ from Naturalism?
Idealism centers on ideas and consciousness as fundamental, contrasting Naturalism's focus on the physical world.
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Can Naturalism lead to pessimism?
Naturalism can be seen as pessimistic if it's viewed as reducing life to mere physical processes.
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Does Idealism deny the physical world?
Idealism doesn't deny the physical world but views it as secondary to the mental or spiritual realm.
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What is Naturalism?
Naturalism is a philosophy focusing on natural forces and scientific laws as the basis of reality.
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Is Idealism optimistic?
Idealism is often optimistic, focusing on the potential for improvement and the power of ideas.
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How does Naturalism influence science?
Naturalism guides science by emphasizing empirical evidence and observable phenomena.
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What role do ideas play in Idealism?
In Idealism, ideas are central and considered the primary component of reality.
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How does Naturalism view human behavior?
Naturalism views human behavior as a result of natural processes and genetic factors.
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Does Naturalism support free will?
Naturalism often challenges the concept of free will, favoring determinism.
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Can Naturalism explain everything in the universe?
Naturalism seeks to explain phenomena through natural laws, though it may not account for all aspects of existence.
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Is Naturalism compatible with religion?
Naturalism often conflicts with religious views, especially those involving supernatural elements.
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How do Idealists view change?
Idealists often view change as driven by ideas, vision, and intellectual movements.
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What is the impact of Idealism on society?
Idealism can have a profound impact by inspiring societal change and emphasizing ethical values.
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What is the Idealist view of ethics?
Idealism often bases ethics on abstract principles and moral ideals.
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How does Idealism influence education?
Idealism in education emphasizes the development of mind, spirit, and moral values.
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How does Naturalism approach art?
Naturalism in art seeks to depict reality as it is, without idealization.
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What is the Idealist approach to politics?
Idealism in politics often involves pursuing visionary goals and high moral standards.
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Does Naturalism value subjective experiences?
Naturalism generally prioritizes objective over subjective experiences.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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