Science and Philosophy: A Comparative Analysis
The core philosophy of science rests on a foundation of scientific knowledge derived from observation, experience, and experimentation. In contrast, philosophy delves into the human condition, seeking a vision of reality. Science progresses through development and experimentation, while philosophy is inherently reflective.
Science differs from philosophy in that it does not offer advice or guidance for a good life. Science accumulates knowledge, whereas philosophy does not. Religion, on the other hand, relies on revealed knowledge. Philosophical knowledge is gained from rational reflection on human experience. Philosophy seeks rational knowledge to understand reality, while religion is based on faith and salvation, encompassing dogma, ritual, and morality. Philosophy does not adhere to dogma, ritual, or a morality oriented towards revealed knowledge.
Literature differs from philosophy in two key aspects: form and content. Literature employs plot and character development, while philosophy presents real issues and arguments. Literature often enshrines the individual as unique and unrepeatable, whereas philosophy considers individual experiences within the totality of reality.
A Brief History of Philosophical Thought
Greek Philosophy
In the Greek era, the divine realm was considered the realm of natural reality. Key questions revolved around the natural order: Is there order, or is there chaos? The concept of nature emerged, with explanations rooted in natural history. The prevailing attitude was one of order, not surprise at chaos.
Medieval Philosophy
During the Medieval period, reality was defined by the relationship between the created and the Creator. Created features were seen as divine gifts of contingency. Questions focused on why the world exists, with God as the central concept. Explanations linked reality to God and the sacred.
Modern Philosophy
Modern philosophy emphasized experience as a male endeavor. The central question became: What is man? Explanations centered on the concept of man, fostering confidence in human capabilities.
Contemporary Philosophy
Contemporary philosophy is marked by suspicion, particularly after the works of Hegel. It can be divided into stages:
- First Stage: Confidence in progress, believing reason could free humanity from superstitions and prejudices, using technology to control nature and create a fair and peaceful society.
- Second Stage: A loss of confidence due to the two World Wars and ecological collapse.
The Scientific Method
Science provides a method for knowing something, specifically knowledge of an object, through the scientific method. Science is categorized into formal, human, and natural sciences (physics, biology). The latter employs the hypothetical-deductive method, studying nature in four steps:
- Setting the problem
- Formulating hypotheses and deducing consequences
- Observed variation/experimentation/confirmation
- Law/theory/paradigm
Science assumes metaphysical budgets (identifying with cosmic reality, disregarding supernatural reality, assuming a cosmos that is ordered) and epistemological budgets (including mathematical descriptions of the cosmos that allow predictions, assuming objective and universal knowledge).
Stages of the Experimental Method
- Problems, Hypotheses, Observations, Experimentation:
- Problem: How something works, its causes, and how to resolve it.
- Hypothesis: Trials to find a solution, demonstrating its truth through repeated experiments (verification). Failure to repeat leads to rebuttal.
- Law/Theory/Paradigm: Verification leads to natural law. Science aims to refine laws, providing shared language, conceptual precision, rigor, and argumentative power. A theory is a set of laws, and a paradigm is a set of theories. Scientific revolution involves paradigm substitution.
Problems in Science
Science faces challenges in metaphysics (can science prove the nature of reality or whether man is free?) and epistemology (logical fallacies, such as the fallacy of affirming the consequent). The study of logic reveals flawed rules in logical thinking. If hypotheses are logically incorrect, knowledge cannot be universal.