Scientific background to Modern philosophy - Research Paper Example

? Scientific background to Modern philosophy Introduction There have been several claims that philosophy grew from science. Some argue that the reverse is the case, while other scholars are for the idea that science and philosophy complement each other. Better than saying, it has been proven beyond doubt that successful philosophical researches, advancements and methodologies have frequently been closely related to science. The history of modern philosophy essentially dates back to the 17th century which was mainly driven and determined by forces such as Renaissance, metaphysics, rationalism, empiricism, idealism and pragmatism. Hence this article is going to give an account and exploration of the relations between science and philosophy by looking at some essential scientific revolutions, especially by looking at persons who advanced these scientific revolutions. In specific, this paper will be examining the contributions and views of Galileo in scientific revolutions that have directly contributed to shaping modern philosophy. In addition, this paper will look at the connection and the degree to which science is connected with life which consequently brings about modern philosophy. Taking Galileo for instance, his scientific mechanics have greatly influenced men’s minds and has also played an important role in coming up with philosophical views and methodologies. Scientific theories and revolutions have to a great extent influenced modern philosophy. Directly or indirectly, scientific theories such as Galileo’s findings on scientific revolutions have influenced philosophy in one way or the other. Galileo is considered as one of the greatest men of age who contributed greatly to philosophy because his findings were very fundamental to laying the foundations of modern philosophy. Galileo was also regarded as one of the initiators in modern philosophy. This is since he was not only a mathematician but also philosopher because the world of today would not be complete without Galileo’s mathematical findings. Being the mathematician that he was is what makes him to be viewed as the type of philosopher he was at that time. In brief, Galileo in the history of scientific revolutions was an Italian astronomer and mathematician who was the first to use a telescope to study the stars; demonstrated that different weights descend at the same rate; and perfected the refracting telescope that enabled him to make many discoveries, and had his lifetime from 1564 to 1642 (Morgan & Michael, 2011). In precise, Galileo’s contributions were based on a new scientific discovery and methods of mathematical expressions. As much as there were other scientists during the age of his time, Galileo’s contributions were still considered very instrumental in prompting most of the scientific ideas that have shaped philosophy. His finding that has widely shaped and influenced the world of philosophers and astronomers was the discovery of stars in the Milky-Way, and the nebulous stars by the use of the telescope. Apart from that, Galileo formulated three laws of motion based on the force of gravity, which have as well influenced and shaped modern philosophical studies in the field of science and dynamics. He went further to come up with accurate mathematical expressions of time, velocity and distance that could predict and ascertain exact mathematical values. Consequently these mathematical advancements by Galileo have brought about surety in the field of physical phenomenon. The contributions of Galileo and other early scientist have hence promoted and influenced how people think, ways of life and further intellectual revolutions that have helped shape modern philosophy. Darwin’s theory of evolution for instance has had a weighty impact on the conception of man’s niche and place in nature. To a large extent, these successes of scientific theories by Galileo amongst other scientists have influenced what is now new in modern philosophy. Taking for instance Bacon, Descartes and Locke who were philosophical observers, their contributions have brought about the spirit of observation, discovery, investigation and reasoning in modern philosophy. These scientists collectively emphasized that knowledge is very essential to human power and rational thinking. The proof is further emphasized by the fact that Galileo’s works did not just end with him, but was further advanced and complemented by other scientists, for example Hobbes, and Newton, directly or indirectly. Hobbes idea for instance, which took slightly different dimension from Galileo’s idea, advanced the philosophical concept of life that the laws of bodily motion should apply even to the origins of nature and to man. Hence, these are part of the form of empiricism, rationalization, and observatory scientific theories or aspects of the earliest scientists contributing to modern philosophy. In the general scientific theories such as natural sciences and intellectual concerns have influenced modern philosophy in the aspects of the physical world, ideas, and the use of mind and body in relation to nature (Morgan & Michael, 2011). Further investigations and findings in the contemporary society such as a people’s way of life, behavior, professions, culture and religion are based on scientific theory of ideas associated with representationalism describing how the mind relates to nature, environment, society and God. Additionally, the scientific background has contributed to modern philosophy in the sense that there are connections between various fields of study perhaps even influencing how studies are conducted and the research methodologies. Consequently, several courses especially those which are not science based at some point have scientific interdisciplinary lessons offered in order for scholars to understand the philosophical proponents of the courses comprehensively. In this view, it is proof that the successes of scientific theories advanced by Galileo and other scientists of his age have influenced and will continue to influence accounts, methods and development through evaluation of scientific rationality, choices, ideas and values that determine philosophical paradigms. In order to understand the scientific background to modern philosophy in an all inclusive manner, it is vital to evaluate to what extent is the discovery of scientific theories a rational process. Rationality becomes a question because it is applied in the intellectual endeavors of science while at the same time scientific theories remain a rational process as it motivates the proponents of modern philosophy. Scientists suggest theories and evaluate those theories through rationality which involves observation, analysis and experimental proof. Galileo for instance came up with a theory of why things fall. After experiments, thoughts and observation he came up with the scientific theory of gravitational force as an answer to the reason why things fall. This is a logical and systematic manner in which thoughts or ideas are set to become officially linked to the observations based on some similar rules or accepted beliefs. At this point, the rules or accepted beliefs will be termed as fundamental empirical scientific theories. These theories are taken as representative of a particular aspect, therefore influencing philosophy (Morgan & Michael, 2011). In determination of modern philosophy the same is realized. Shifting for instance from historical to the contemporary scientific field, in the contemporary society any scientific suggested theories, thoughts or ideas at any given time are thought of as a set of hypothesis that need conclusive experiments, evidence and observations to be proven true. If proved to be true from the experiments and observations, then they are acknowledged as part of scientific theories which are in turn used to advance modern philosophy. Furthermore, these accredited theories are perceived and employed as true descriptions of reality consequently determining the philosophical dimensions which may need to be applied in the modern context. In modernity, a large portion of the exciting issues in philosophy is closely connected to the foundations of scientific theories and discoveries. Scientific theories and discoveries have for a long time been linked with modern philosophy. As an example, the following list of scientists during the period of Renaissance give a brief overview on how their discoveries impacted to modern philosophy. Galileo scientific theory of gravity has had an enormous effect in the modern philosophy of physics; Darwin’s scientific theory of evolution has had a fundamental impact in the modern philosophy of biology, nature and way of livelihood; and Leibniz's scientific theory of truth, contingency, and the principle of sufficient reason to have had impacts in the modern philosophy of psychology. Finally, the reception and acceptance of scientific theories and discoveries itself lays a foundation confirming that indeed there is a link between scientific background and modern philosophy. From the contribution of Galileo as noted in this paper together with other early scientific revolutionists, all discoveries mainly focus on explanations of the general structure of the universe in a bid to reduce or alleviate hardships, promote wellbeing or the livelihood of mankind, and promoting co-existence or peaceful relations. From these discoveries, there arose systems of unified set laws to guard against the ideas and the discovered theories. The set laws in turn have shaped philosophy by creating other laws, policies or principles within the philosophical world which have been acknowledged, taught and have also considerably contributed to modern philosophies such as environmental law. Additionally, the set laws out of scientific theories or discoveries have become values, beliefs, and systems tailored towards addressing and shaping modern philosophical concepts. Conclusion Over the years since the time of the Renaissance, scientists have seen the value of their discoveries very instrumental in shaping universal changes not knowing that it also provides a background in modern philosophy. In today’s world, the history of science continues to influence philosophical concerns. The world is still evolving with several scientific theories and exceptional ideas being discovered. This is due to the consistent ever increasing number of fresh ideas, observations and reasoning that arise from humans mind and body interaction with nature, society and the environment. The value and magnitude of historical scientists such as Galileo hence cannot die but will always be part of every discovery and driving forces towards modern philosophy. We can therefore not rush into conclusions that philosophy can stand on its own or that philosophy doesn’t have elements of science. This would be very ironic because as of the proponents of this paper; any aspect, idea, or effort promoting rationalism, reasoning, and conceptualization of a philosophy has some sort of holistic relation to science. Work cited Morgan, Michael L. Classics of moral and political theory. 4th Ed. Indianapolis, IND.: Hackett;, 2011. Print. ISBN 13:978-1-60384-442-0. Read More