Faith Interface

Science: The Handmaiden of Philosophy

A successful argument for science being the paradigm of rationality must be based on the demonstration that the presuppositions of science are preferable to other presuppositions. That demonstration requires showing that science, relying on these presuppositions, is better at solving some problems and achieving some ideals than its competitors. But showing that cannot be the task of science. It is, in fact, one task of philosophy.

Thus the enterprise of justifying the presuppositions of science, by showing that with their help science is the best way of solving certain problems and achieving some ideals, is a necessary precondition of the justification of science. Hence philosophy, and not science, is a stronger candidate for being the very paradigm of rationality.

(John Kekes, The Nature of Philosophy, p.158)

Source: archive.frontpagemag.com

(Stephen Hawking & Leonard Mlodinow, The Grand Design)

Here is a list of some of the philosophical presuppositions of science:

* The existence of a theory-independent, external world.

* The orderly nature of the external world.

* The knowability of the external world.

* The existence of truth.

* The laws of logic.

* The reliability of our cognitive and sensory faculties to serve as truth gatherers and as a source of justified beliefs in our intellectual environment.

* The adequacy of language to describe the world.

* The existence of values used in science (for example, “test theories fairly and report test results honestly”).

* The uniformity of nature and induction.

* The existence of numbers and mathematical truths.

(J.P. Moreland, Love Your God With All Your Mind)

SCIENCE NEEDS PHILOSOPHY in order to function. For a scientist of the calibre of Hawking to claim “Philosophy is dead” shows the blinding megalomania and completely groundless over-reach of philosophical scientism.