Naturalism facts for kids
Naturalism is a way of thinking or creating art that focuses on what is real and natural in the world. It suggests that everything can be explained by natural laws and forces. This means there are no supernatural or magical reasons for things to happen.
This idea shows up in different areas, like art, books, plays, and even how we think about the universe. It's all about looking at the world as it truly is, without adding anything imaginary or ideal.
Naturalism in Art
Naturalism in art is a style that tries to show things exactly as they appear in real life. Artists who follow this style focus on making their paintings or sculptures look very realistic. They pay close attention to details, colors, and textures.
This approach became popular in the 19th century. Artists wanted to capture the world around them without making it look more beautiful or perfect than it was. They often painted everyday scenes and ordinary people.
Naturalism in Literature
Naturalism in literature was a writing movement that started in the late 1800s. Writers in this style believed that a person's life is shaped by their environment and their genes. They thought that people's actions were often controlled by forces outside their control.
Naturalist writers often showed the harsh realities of life. They wrote about difficult social issues, poverty, and struggles. Their stories aimed to be very detailed and realistic, almost like a scientific study of human behavior. Famous authors like Émile Zola are known for their naturalist novels.
Naturalism in Theatre
Naturalism in theatre is a style of playwriting and acting that also aims for extreme realism. It developed in Europe around the same time as literary naturalism. Playwrights wanted to show life on stage exactly as it was, without any fancy tricks or exaggerated emotions.
Actors in naturalist plays try to behave as if they are real people in a real situation. The sets and costumes are also designed to look very authentic. The goal is to make the audience feel like they are watching real life unfold, not just a performance.
Naturalism in Philosophy
In philosophy, naturalism is the idea that only natural laws and forces exist in the universe. This means that everything, including our minds and consciousness, can be explained by science and the laws of nature. It suggests there is nothing beyond the physical world.
Philosophical naturalism believes that scientific methods are the best way to understand the world. It doesn't rely on supernatural explanations or divine interventions. It's a way of looking at the universe that sees it as a system governed by natural rules.
See also
- Natural history, which is the study of living things and nature.
- A naturalist is a person who studies natural history.
- Naturalistic observation, a way of doing research by watching people or animals in their normal environment without interfering.
