Preternaturalism is a complex term used to describe something beyond the natural world, often associated with the supernatural or paranormal. The pronunciation of this long word is /ˌpriː.tərˈnæ.tʃər.əl.ɪ.zəm/, where the stress falls on the second syllable 'ter'. The 'pre' prefix means 'before' or 'beyond', while 'naturalism' refers to the belief that everything in the world can be explained by natural causes. Together, preternaturalism implies something that goes beyond the boundaries of naturalism.
Preternaturalism refers to the belief or acceptance of phenomena or events that go beyond what is considered natural, normal, or explainable by scientific laws. It is the concept or idea that there exist supernatural or extraordinary forces, occurrences, or abilities that cannot be accounted for by rational or empirical means. The term "preternatural" suggests something that is beyond the realm of what is commonly observed or understood.
In a religious context, preternaturalism often refers to phenomena that are attributed to divine intervention or spiritual powers beyond the scope of natural human abilities. It encompasses a range of supernatural occurrences, such as miracles, visions, or spiritual manifestations.
Preternaturalism is also associated with folklore, occultism, and paranormal activities. It encompasses belief in entities such as ghosts, goblins, or demons that are not part of the natural order and cannot be explained by science. It includes various practices associated with fortune-telling, witchcraft, and psychic abilities.
While preternaturalism deals with phenomena that are considered beyond the natural, it should be distinguished from the religious concept of the "supernatural," which typically encompasses a broader range of unexplainable phenomena that involve the divine or transcendental. Preternaturalism, on the other hand, often focuses on specific extraordinary events or abilities that fall outside the usual course of nature.
The word "Preternaturalism" is derived from the combination of two terms: "preternatural" and "-ism".
1. "Preternatural":
"Preternatural" is an adjective that originated from the Latin term "praeternaturalis", which can be broken down into two parts: "prae" meaning "beyond, surpassing", and "natura" meaning "nature". The term originally referred to something that was beyond or exceeding what is natural or expected.
2. "-ism":
The suffix "-ism" is used to form nouns, indicating a certain characteristic, behavior, or ideology. It is derived from the Greek suffix "-ismos", which conveys a similar meaning.
When these two parts are combined, they create "Preternaturalism" as a noun, referring to the belief in, or the practice of, recognizing and attributing phenomena or events to forces beyond the natural world.