Naive Realism (theory)

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This article contains tribute art, spin-off fiction, theories, reference and community material created by fans inspired by the show.
It is by definition non-canon, but generally distinct from intentionally fake hoaxes or humorous fan parody material.

Argument

An entire corpus of fan theories exist that are vast constructs of completely synthesized speculation. As long as a theory is not contradictory to the established canon or logically incoherent, proponents can find numerous instances of dialog or imagery from the show that “substantiate” their proposals in an unfalsifiable method. This can be disconcerting to some viewers who prefer to avoid these infinite chains of speculation.

The theory presented here maintains that an adequate understanding of the show can be achieved by deference only to the show itself, and, to some extent, The Lost Experience, ABC podcasts, and related extracanonical materials. Furthermore, it holds that a basic worldview has been sufficiently elucidated by the show’s creators, such that these tenets are largely substantiated beyond reasonable doubt:

The show depicts a “universe” analogous to this one, except with the addition of events as detailed in the show.
The survivors are actually physically crashed upon the island, which exists somewhere on (their) Earth.
- EVIDENCE: These points are taken to be self-evident given the exposition of the show itself.

The remainder of the Earth exists in a normative state and is not in a time discontinuity, limbo, or similar phenomenon.
- EVIDENCE: The scene depicting the listening station and Penelope Widmore in "Live Together, Die Alone" indubitably suggests that the “non-island” part of the world is extant and in a normative state.

Events occur exactly as depicted upon the island (and in flashback), and are not hallucinatory, deceptively controlled by a near-omnipotent entity, or fundamentally misleading.
- EVIDENCE: Theories that the show is inherently misleading (Group hallucination, etc.) cannot be logically disproved using only materials from the show itself (such theories are valid but not necessarily sound). However, the comments of the show's creators and similar extracanonical materials are taken to imply that the exposition of the show is not inherently misleading.

Events can be adequately explained either by deference to naturalistic processes, or the supernatural events noted upon the island will eventually be explained by reference to a logically coherent theology/ontology.
- EVIDENCE: This is an assumption. However, there is a precedent for this, set by the show, as discussed below.

Production errors and film/television clichés are not intended to be taken as consequential in terms of plot by the show’s creators.
- EVIDENCE: On-screen mistakes (trainer’s hand for Kate’s horse in "What Kate Did", inaccurate Brazilian Portuguese accents in "Live Together, Die Alone", etc.) are inevitable in film and television.

Pros

Several events, previously in the “supernatural” or “unsolved” category, such as the light from the Hatch, the significance of the machinery in The Swan, and the cause of the plane crash, have been explained by naturalistic means. While many of these explanations are pseudoscientific (demonstratively, an electromagnetic hot spot, as depicted on the show, is geologically impossible), the show’s creators probably intend them to be taken as credible.

Does not require explanation by vast constructs of largely unsubstantiated background theory.

Arguably, requires no speculation to understand events in the show.

Television is an art form, and allusions to other ontological possibilities (such as the popular Purgatory theory) are probably allegorical or symbolic gestures by the show’s screenwriters used as a literary device.

Cons

The as-of-yet unexplained “supernatural” events are largely incomprehensible through this theory, except by reference to a logically coherent theology/ontology. However, such a worldview has not been thoroughly developed by the show, though arguably the creators are creating a foundation for this.

The show’s creators have obviously taken great pains to build a “mythology” of subtle hints, connections, internal references, and the like within the show, all of which indicate great attention to details. This may suggest that small details (as often pivotal to other theories) may be intended to be more consequential than thought here.