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Question

Definition of the supernatural: events, forces or powers that cannot be explained by the laws of science and that seem to involve gods or magic

Which of the following definition of law best fits the definition above? Thanks so much.

1. the fact that something always happens in the same way in an activity or in nature

2. a scientific rule that somebody has stated to explain a natural process

MrPedantic · Accepted Answer

I'm not sure that #1 or #2 (strictly speaking) would serve as "definitions", Jin.

Is your task to devise a paraphrase of the "definition of the supernatural"?

Anonymous · Answer

I was just trying to figure out which of the definitions of law best fits the word law in "laws of science". Sorry for the confusion. Thanks for the help.

MrPedantic · Answer

Ah! I see now. Sorry about the momentary lapse.

I would have some doubts about #1, since it might seem to imply that the basis of the division between natural and supernatural phenomena is an assumption that the latter are somehow unpredictable.

If the choice is only between the two definitions, therefore, I would have to opt for #2.

(Though this also has its difficulties, as it might seem to imply that phenomena are "supernatural" when they cannot be explained by any current scientific thinking; whereas many phenomena that no one would consider classifying as "supernatural" also fall into that category.)

Best wishes,

MrP

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