Naturalism is the view that reality is that which is natural because everything is composed of natural
entities. In general, naturalism places emphasis upon the physical sciences, especially physics and
chemistry. In its extreme form, Naturalism differs from Materialism only in recognizing the priority of
energy over matter. Naturalism stresses the use of the words such as energy, motion, natural law, casual
determination etc. Some naturalists consider Reality as supported by the process of evolution.
Naturalism accepts the method of justification and explanation. Aristotle and Spinoza are counted as the
prominent representatives of naturalism along with early Greek naturalists like Thales, Anaximander,
and Anaximenes.
Idealism is the ontological position according to which ultimate reality is not matter but mind or Spirit.
This position is also the basis of Spiritualism. Idealism considers the ultimate stuff of the Universe as
mind/idea/consciousness. Idealism puts the emphasis upon mind as in some way prior to matter.
Accordingly, mind is ultimately real and matter is just an appearance of the realm of ideas or thought.
The oldest system of Idealism in Western philosophy is that of Plato who recognized objects as a mere
copy of the eternal and immutable ideas. In modern philosophy, George Berkeley advocated Subjective
idealism and Hegel advocated Absolute idealism.
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