Supranaturalism is a term used to describe a belief in supernatural phenomena beyond what is considered natural or explainable by scientific means. Its spelling follows a consistent pattern of pronunciation using the IPA phonetic transcription: /suːprəˈnætʃərəlɪz(ə)m/. The word starts with a stressed syllable "su-", followed by "prə-" and "næt-", both of which are unstressed. The word then ends with "ʃərəlɪz(ə)m", with the syllables "ʃər" and "lɪz" being unstressed. Overall, the spelling of supranaturalism reflects its pronunciation quite closely.
Supranaturalism is a philosophical and metaphysical concept that encompasses beliefs, notions, or phenomena that surpass or transcend the natural world, often associated with religious or spiritual contexts. This term combines the prefix "supra," meaning "above" or "beyond," with "naturalism," which refers to the understanding of the world based solely on natural processes and laws.
Supranaturalism is characterized by the belief in forces, entities, or occurrences that go beyond what the natural world can account for, such as gods, spirits, the afterlife, miracles, and divine intervention. It acknowledges the existence of supernatural dimensions that exist outside or above the natural realm, influencing or governing human affairs, destiny, or the course of the universe.
In supranaturalistic perspectives, supernatural entities are often perceived as having extraordinary powers, knowledge, or abilities, which are beyond human comprehension and explanation. Supranaturalistic beliefs can be found in various religious and spiritual traditions, including but not limited to monotheistic religions like Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, as well as polytheistic faiths like Hinduism and various indigenous or pagan practices.
While supranaturalism may provide explanations that cannot be empirically proven or scientifically validated, it offers individuals a framework to understand phenomena that surpass the boundaries of nature and reason. This concept serves as a fundamental pillar in shaping beliefs, ethics, rituals, and worldviews, offering individuals a sense of meaning, purpose, and connection to forces or entities that transcend the natural order of existence.
The word "Supranaturalism" is derived from combining two root words: "supra" and "naturalism".
The prefix "supra-" comes from the Latin word "supra", which means "above" or "beyond". This prefix is commonly used in English to convey ideas of being superior, transcendent, or extending beyond the usual or natural limits.
The term "naturalism" originates from the Latin word "natura", which means "nature". In a philosophical context, naturalism refers to the belief or doctrine that the physical world is all that exists, and that everything can be explained by natural laws or processes, without the need for supernatural or spiritual explanations.
By combining these two components, "supranaturalism" refers to a belief system or worldview that goes beyond or surpasses naturalism.