Relation Between Philosophy and Science PDF

**Relation Between Philosophy and Science.** The relation between philosophy and science is one of the central problems of philosophy. It is an undeniable fact that philosophy is the first academic discipline of this world. As the wealth of knowledge is increased it was impossible for a single man...

**Relation Between Philosophy and Science.** The relation between philosophy and science is one of the central problems of philosophy. It is an undeniable fact that philosophy is the first academic discipline of this world. As the wealth of knowledge is increased it was impossible for a single man or discipline to deal with them. All other disciplines or line of investigations have developed with reference to philosophy. But it does not imply that all other disciplines are divorced from philosophy. Rather we can find an intimate relation between philosophy and other disciplines such as science, literature, history, religion, common sense etc. The relation between philosophy and science is very intimate. It is indeed far more intimate than is popularly conceived. In the wider sense, science is meant any systematic and logical study. So, from this point of view, philosophy, history and journalism may be considered as science as they are logical and systematic study. In the narrower sense, science means any systematic body of knowledge related to a particular department of nature. Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Geology, Astronomy etc. all of them are considered as science. The relation between philosophy and science can be explained by the help of three headings: similarity, dissimilarity and inter-relation. Similarity: Both of them originate from the same feelings: practical needs and welfare of human beings. Both of them are concerned with practical and theoretical needs. Both of them want to make our life happy, smooth, peaceful and meaningful. Both of them are logical, critical, rational, analytic and scientific. Inductive method and deductive method are followed by both. Both of them are concerned with the world of experience and are based on the facts of our common experience. Both of them are anthropocentric and non-anthropocentric. Dissimilarity: The similarities mentioned above do not imply that both of them are identical. We can find many differences between these two fields. The dissimilarities between science and philosophy are given below: Science is piecemeal, fragmentary, unconnected, unrelated, disintegrated, partial, uncoordinated etc. On the other hand philosophy is comprehensive, holistic, integrated, connected, related, coordinated etc. Science is mainly experimental and observational and it requires laboratory for its research activities. On the other hand, philosophy is mainly reflective, speculative, intellectualistic. Philosophy does not need laboratory for its inquiries or investigations. Science is mainly concerned with quantitative analysis, while philosophy is mainly concerned with qualitative analysis. Philosophy is concerned with aesthetics, value, morality, mind, soul, religion etc. Science is not concerned with those problems. Science is more or less constant. Philosophy is more or less variable. Science is concerned with natural world. On the other hand, philosophy is concerned with both natural and supernatural world. Science is concerned with the physical world. Philosophy is concerned with both physical and metaphysical world. Science is mainly concerned with facts while philosophy is mainly concerned with value. Inter-relation: The differences mentioned above between philosophy and science do not imply that the relation between them is contradictory or hostile or antagonistic. Rather we can find an intimate or complementary relation between them. They give to each what other lacks. Philosophy needs data or information for its philosophical investigations. Philosophy is supplied by sciences with data about the world. The ideal philosopher must be acquainted with the fundamentals of all sciences. On the other hand, philosophy supplies sciences with a solid theoretic basis or foundation by examining and clarifying its basic concepts. That's why it is said that philosophy, without science is empty and science, without philosophy is blind. Philosophy offers a complete, connected, holistic and coordinated world-view by coordinating their (sciences) fragmentary accounts. It is said that, the sciences without philosophy are an aggregate without unity, a body without a soul; philosophy, without the sciences, is a soul without a body.