My preferred definition for natural would have to do with whether something is present in or produced by nature, not acquired by means other than what nature can provide (i.e. without agency), and proceeding according to the laws of nature.

Thus, while it is natural to die of a bullet wound to the head, this would not be a natural death.

The opposite of natural is unnatural, which, by my definition would mean present or produced by means other than natural, by some agency, or proceeding in a manner not consistent with the processes of nature.


One of the big problems with the word "unnatural" is that we frequently use it to means things that have unpleasant associations, or which deviate from social norms. The word is frequently used to describe things that are uncommon, but are -- by the usual definition -- perfectly natural. This would include genetic birth defects (not those caused by drug use, etc.), left-handedness, albinism, homosexuality, etc.

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evangelicalhumanist: Greek "eu"=good and "angelos"=messenger. Spreading the good news of Humanism.