Mission - Guiding Philosophy - Objectives
Mission
The Center for Naturalism (CFN) is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational
organization devoted to increasing public awareness of naturalism
and its implications for social and personal well-being. By means
of local activities, publications, research, conferences, educational
programs, and policy development, the CFN seeks to foster the understanding
that human beings and their behavior are fully caused, entirely
natural phenomena, and that human flourishing is best achieved
in the light of such understanding.
Guiding Philosophy
Based on knowledge derived from the physical and social sciences,
the world view that is naturalism holds that human beings are fully
included in nature. Science tells us that we are connected and
united, in each and every aspect of our being, to the natural world.
There is, under naturalism, nothing supernatural about us which
places us above or beyond nature, but this is something to be celebrated,
not feared. Practically speaking, naturalism holds that an individual’s
development and behavior are entirely the result of prior and surrounding
conditions, both genetic and environmental. Naturalism, therefore,
denies that persons have contra-causal free will - that something
within them is capable of acting as a first cause. But this isn't
a problem, it's just how things are. See A
Guide to Naturalism,
Tenets
of Naturalism, Consequences
of Naturalism, and Resources.
Naturalism as a guiding philosophy can help create a better world
by illuminating more precisely the conditions under which individuals
and societies flourish, and by providing a tangible, real basis
for connection and community. It holds that doctrines and policies
which assume the existence of a contra-causally free agent, and
which therefore ignore the actual causes of behavior, are unfounded
and counter-productive. To the extent to which we suppose persons
act out of their uncaused free will, to that extent will we be
blind to those factors which produce criminality and other social
pathologies, or, on the positive side, the factors which make for
well-adjusted, productive individuals and societies. See Philosophy and Free
Will.
By holding that human behavior arises entirely within a causal
context, naturalism also affects fundamental attitudes about ourselves
and others. Naturalism undercuts retributive, punitive, and fawning
attitudes based on the belief that human agents are first causes,
as well other responses amplified by the supposition of free will,
such as excessive pride, shame, and guilt. Since individuals are
not, on a naturalistic understanding, the ultimate originators
of their faults and virtues, they are not deserving, in the traditional
metaphysical sense, of praise and blame. Although we will continue
to feel gratitude and regret for the good and bad consequences
of actions, understanding the full causal picture behind behavior
shifts the focus of our emotional, reactive responses from the
individual to the wider context. This change in attitudes lends
support for social policies based on a fully causal view of human
behavior. See Applied
Naturalism.
Naturalism also has deep implications for how we conceive of our
place in the world, since it replaces the dualism and human exceptionalism
of free will with the unity of full causal connection to nature.
The psychological and spiritual consequences of naturalism are
far-reaching and positive, giving us a sure sense of being at home
in a vast, awe-inspiring universe as we create meaning in our lives.
The importance we attach to the self and its agenda may lessen
when we understand that we aren’t self-made or permanent,
but temporary manifestations of individuality created by the unfolding
natural order. See Naturalistic Spirituality.
Objectives
Increase awareness of naturalism – The Center for Naturalism seeks
to increase public awareness of naturalism as a means toward personal
and social well-being. Understanding that human beings - their
traits, attitudes, and behavior - are fully included in natural
causality can lead to more productive social policies and more
fulfilling personal relationships to the world and others. Although
it challenges supernaturalistic views of the self and morality,
naturalism does not threaten or undermine basic human values, but
rather puts them on a more realistic footing.
Policy development – The CFN seeks to apply the insights
of naturalism to social and economic issues in order to increase
human flourishing and reduce unnecessary suffering. By taking a
fully causal view of human nature, naturalism can inform the design
of social policies which reflect the full range of factors that
influence human development and behavior. Such a view can also
influence policy objectives by changing fundamental attitudes about
credit and blame based in supernaturalistic views of the self.
Serve as resource for personal growth – Naturalism has significant
implications for our self-concept and how we understand our place
in the world. Seeing our deep connection to nature in every respect
can supply the basis for a mature, fulfilling, and cognitively
consistent quest for personal growth and meaning. Properly presented,
the challenge to conventional wisdom about the self can be a powerful
means to increase life satisfaction and deepen interpersonal relationships.
Create a sustainable community for naturalists – Because
naturalism is a relatively new and unexplored world view, philosophical
naturalists need a community of like-minded individuals who can
offer guidance and encouragement. The CFN seeks to develop a broad-based
community, on-line and in cities and states world-wide, within
which naturalists can meet to develop strategies, local agendas,
and opportunities for creative expression, and to simply enjoy
each other’s company.
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