The Ontological Compatibility of Methodological Naturalism with a Benevolent, Infinite God
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71204/b9cj9459Keywords:
Ontology, Divinity, Methodological Naturalism, Classical Theism, Pantheism, Emergentism, Panentheism, science and religionAbstract
This paper works to explore the ontological compatibility of methodological naturalism with the concept of a benevolent, infinite God. Methodological naturalism, which is intended to operate independently of metaphysical claims, offers a neutral stance on the existence of deities; maintaining the empirical integrity of the scientific method. In examining four leading models of divinity, this paper assesses their potential to align with methodological naturalism while preserving divine attributes of infinity and benevolence. The paper then argues that, of the four, panentheism provides the most suitable framework for the integration of such a deity into a methodologically naturalistic framing. The combined model maintains the empirical constraints of methodological naturalism while allowing for a divine presence that embodies ultimate goodness in an infinite nature.
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