What Makes Something "Supernatural"?

Question

I have basically come to the conclusion that humans are in an endless loop. IF we were to find something that was supernatural, and became able to explain it then would it no longer be supernatural but actually natural? For example, a human using their mind power to teleport from one place to the next is supernatural. But if we study their brain and figure out the how of it, like forcing molecules to be disperse and travel, etc, then it becomes natural and no longer "magical".
BUT.... On the other hand, lets say we find something that cannot be explained or perceived by methods we have or will ever have. But if we are aware of it, then it is apart of our natural world, therefore making it natural, right?
Honestly, wtf?

Answer 1

I agree. The concept of "supernatural" comes from sloppy thinking.



If data contradicts an existing scientific theory, and the data can be verified, the theory needs to be revised. "It's impossible so it didn't happen" is an irrational view, because theories are based on data, and data should not be changed to fit the theory. Saying something is supernatural because it contradicts existing theories puts human intellectual concepts on a pedestal they don't deserve.



On the other hand, saying "God/the flying spaghetti monster made the universe by supernatural means" is so irrational it's meaningless. The term "supernatural" is being used as a get out clause to avoid explaining or providing evidence for anything.



According to Charles Fort, theories of all sorts are artificial concepts and arbitrary definitions dividing up a formless mass of experience into objects and events. None of us can perceive the whole universe, so there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in our philosophies. Zoologists defined the categories "mammals" and "reptiles" before they discovered the duck billed platypus (which they then described as an "enigma")

Answer 2

There is no such thing as supernatural. Electricity was considered supernatural before we understood it. We live in 11 to 16 dimensions some of which we have absolutely no understanding of. So much has yet to be revealed that is "natural".

Answer 3

Something that naturally shouldn't happen.



People who say nothing can be supernatural because everything is a part of nature, are misunderstanding the word.



On a materialistic point of view, this might hold true. But supernatural is a concept that make sense about being not natural.



Something supernatural is something that is independent and happens not under causality, but on its own terms

Answer 4

That is correct as you phrased it. You find it confusing.



Science explains events that happen in the world. At any one point there are always events that science does not and/or can not explain. Those events are the supernatural.



Discoveries explain events that science had not been able to explain. As discoveries happen science explains more and more.



The trouble is there is no guarantee that discoveries will ever be made that explain everything. So there are no guarantees that the amount of supernatural will ever drop to zero. Just that as long as discoveries continue the amount of supernatural will reduce.



Human reason is finite. That's why there can be no guarantee.

Answer 5

Supernatural is something that is currently unexplainable. The term is rather loose, for as we gain more knowledge what was supernatural becomes natural. So one day supernatural things like spirits may be called a natural phenomenon.

Answer 6

There is NO "Supernatural" as such, only the NATURAL that our present day Science cannot explain yet.



But we like to use the term "Paranormal " today for phenomena we cannot explain yet, especially if it has a traditional "Folk explanation" or Superstitious explanation attached to it.



"Supernatural" is an outdated term coined when Science was in it's infancy and it was believed there were TWO different, unconnected, unreconcilable "realities" The Natural "physical" and the "Supernatural" "Spiritual. Educated people do not use "Supernatural" anymore and "Paranormal" instead.



So to be termed "Paranormal" a phenomena has to be 1. unexplainable in terms of Science of the present day. and 2. has a traditional Superstition (Like "spirit of the dead"), associated with it.---BOTH conditions must be met. As we have phenomena science cannot explain (like dark matter) that is NOT considered "paranormal"---Because it does not have a superstition.



Eventually "Supernatural / Paranormal" phenomena becomes accepted as "natural" when our Science catches up to it enough to explain it--As in the case of Lightning and Electricity. Even a LOT of currently "paranormal" phenomena can be explained in terms of present day "Advanced physics" theories----but the people who know the theories and those who know the characteristics of some of this "paranormal" phenomena --seldom know enough about one field or the other to be able to see and make the connections. ----But it will eventually be worked out.

Answer 7

Yes. Supernatural is a concept. Not a reality.



Supernatural is a word used to describe that which we cannot understand and which does not seem to abide by the (natural) laws of physics. Conceptual only.

Answer 8

Supernatural means we do not yet have a proper scientific definition.Once we have a definition,it does become natural and not supernatural.

Answer 9

Something is supernatural if it defies the natural laws of physics. Now you might be thinking, "isn't it natural for the supernatural to defy the laws of physics? Wouldn't that make the supernatural, natural?" The answer is YES, the supernatural is natural. But it's a different kind of natural. You're confused because the definitions aren't clear. I will try my best to make them clear..



Let's imagine the word "NATURAL" written on a white board in all capital letters. Let's use the word "NATURAL" to describe anything that exists. For example, watermelons are "NATURAL" because watermelons exist. If a god existed, he would be "NATURAL" as well. For the sake of argument, let's say a god existed.



Now let's draw two lines branching from the word "NATURAL" with one line leading to the word "natural" (lower cases) and the second line leading to the word "supernatural." What's the difference between "natural" and "supernatural," you ask? Well, things that are "natural" can be predicted if all the variables are known. Watermelons would be "natural" because watermelons follow consistent laws that are predictable. That is, science can predict how a watermelon will grow in an environment given known temperature, weather conditions, climate, etc. On the other hand, things that are "supernatural" aren't restricted by "natural" laws and cannot be predicted by science. A god would be "supernatural" because a god doesn't have to abide by "natural" laws. A god can create a watermelon out of thin air without actually having to grow one. It doesn't matter if it's too hot or too cold or if there's a severe drought. A god can miraculously create a watermelon regardless of the "natural" conditions normally required to grow a watermelon.



So there you have it, there are two kinds of NATURAL (two kinds of existences). These two kinds of NATURAL are called "natural" and "supernatural". From these definitions, you can see that both the watermelon and the god are "NATURAL" because they both exist. However, only the watermelon is "natural" because the watermelon is bound by consistent laws that can be predicted by science. The god is also "NATURAL" because he exists, but he's not "natural" because he doesn't have to follow consistent laws that would allow science to make predictions. The god is "NATURALLY supernatural" as opposed to "NATURALLY natural."



I just want to add that science can never prove anything "supernatural" because science is built around the assumption that all phenomena can be explained by "natural" laws. Even if "supernatural" things do exist, science will never be able to prove them because science is, by definition, the study of the "natural" world. Trying to use science to prove the supernatural is like trying to use a compass to tell time.

Answer 10

What Makes Something "Supernatural"?



~~~ Imagination!

Everything in the Universe, ever, is 'Nature, natural.

Ghost tales and Jesus and demons unicorns and such all exist!

They all exist in the 'imagination', the ego.

Answer 11

Nothing is supernatural. If it exists, it is natural.

Answer 12

Something that can't be explained by the usual physical laws of existence or scientific argument.

Answer 13

Well. Super Saiyin is a result of desperation or necessity. So Super natural must just be nature, doing stuff after it gets desperate or has serious unmet needs.

Answer 14

Exagerated spirituality as opposed to the average