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Can idealism be equated with supernaturalism?

User Kousen
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Final answer:

Idealism focuses on reality as a construct of mental experiences, while supernaturalism involves a belief in entities above natural laws.

Step-by-step explanation:

Idealism is a metaphysical view that posits that reality is based on ideas and mental experiences rather than on material objects. It should not be equated with supernaturalism, which is the belief in entities or realms that exist beyond the physical universe. Idealists argue that the mind and spirit are the most essential aspects of our being, as famously described by Plato, highlighting the existence of a perfect realm of ideas that our minds can perceive through intellectual understanding. These philosophical perspectives address different aspects of reality and belief systems; hence, idealism shouldn't be equated with supernaturalism.

Supernaturalism, on the other hand, involves a belief in the existence of beings or realities that are beyond or above natural experiences and laws, typically gods or spiritual entities. The idealist perspective might incorporate a deity or divine aspects as part of the ideal or mental reality, yet this does not make it synonymous with supernaturalism. The discussions on the rational justification for believing in supernatural beings based on personal or collective religious experiences show that idealism and supernaturalism address different aspects of reality and belief.

Moreover, the argument that divine perception by a god might be responsible for the persistence of objects and perceptions does not establish the probability of supernatural beings' existence. It is more about the justification of belief systems than material evidence or probability, distinguishing idealism from supernatural claims of existential entities.

User Ilanco
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