The Relationship between Philosophy and Science
Q&A Radio: 21 December 2014, Question 1
I answered a question on the relationship between philosophy and science on 21 December 2014. You can listen to or download the podcast of just this question below – or check out the whole episode of Philosophy in Action Radio.
What is the proper relationship between philosophy and science? People commonly assert that science proves that the traditional claims of philosophy are wrong. For example, they'll say that quantum mechanics proves that objective reality and causality are just myths and that psychology experiments disprove free will. In contrast, other people claim that philosophy is so fundamental that if any claims of science contradict philosophical principles, then the science must be discarded as false. Hence, for example, they say that homosexuality cannot possibly be genetic, whatever science says, since philosophy tells us that people are born "tabula rasa," including without any knowledge of "male" versus "female." So what is the proper view of the relationship between philosophy and the sciences? Does either have a veto power over the other? Is science based on philosophy or vice versa?
My Answer, In Brief: Neither philosophy nor science has priority over the other. Philosophers should strive to be more familiar with the full range of scientific facts, and scientists should strive to be more aware of their philosophic assumptions. Everyone should be focused on the facts, rather than defending theory.
Tags: Biology, Economics, Epistemology, Ethics, Free Will, Metaphysics, Perception, Personality, Philosophy, Physics, Physics, Psychology, Science
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- Duration: 52:10
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Relevant Links
- Wikipedia: Uncertainty Principle
- Neuroscience vs philosophy: Taking aim at free will
- Philosophy in Action: Innate Personality
- "Dursley Duplicity" by Diana Brickell in Harry Potter and Philosophy
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I'm Dr. Diana Brickell. I'm a philosopher specializing in the application of rational principles to the challenges of real life. I received my Ph.D in philosophy from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2009. My book, Responsibility & Luck: A Defense of Praise and Blame, is available for purchase in paperback and Kindle. The book defends the justice of moral praise and blame of persons using an Aristotelian theory of moral responsibility, thereby refuting Thomas Nagel's "problem of moral luck."
My radio show, Philosophy in Action Radio, broadcasts live over the internet on most Sunday mornings and some Thursday evenings. On Sunday mornings, I answer questions applying rational principles to the challenges of real life in a live hour-long show. Greg Perkins of Objectivist Answers co-hosts the show. On Thursday evenings, I interview an expert guest or discuss a topic of interest.
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