Natural Quote by Charles Darwin
““The only distinct meaning of the word 'natural' is STATED, FIXED or SETTLED; since what is natural as much requires and presupposes an intelligent agent to render it so, i.e., to effect it continually or at stated times, as what is supernatural or miraculous does to effect it for once."—Butler: "Analogy of Revealed Religion".””
About This Quote
Source Book: Analogy of Revealed Religion by Charles Butler, 1865
The term “natural” implies a fixed, ongoing process that depends on an intelligent agent, unlike a one‑time supernatural event.
In simple terms: Natural things need continual agency; miracles are single acts.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the role of ongoing agency in natural phenomena.
Themes
philosophy
science
religion
causality
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- theological debate
- scientific explanation
- philosophical discussion
- education
- policy making
Key Concepts
determinism
agency
miracle
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we distinguish between natural processes and intentional design?
- What implications does this view have for scientific inquiry?
A Different Perspective
It may oversimplify complex systems by attributing all regularity to a single agent.
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