Philosophy has been a subject that has intrigued people for centuries. It deals with questions that cannot be answered by empirical evidence or scientific methods.
However, some argue that philosophy is a science in its own right. So, is philosophy called science? Let’s find out.
What is Philosophy?
Philosophy is an intellectual inquiry that explores fundamental questions about the nature of existence, knowledge, reality, and morality. Unlike science, which relies on empirical evidence to prove its theories, philosophy uses reason and critical thinking to analyze concepts and ideas. It deals with abstract concepts such as justice, freedom, and truth.
What is Science?
Science is an empirical inquiry that studies the natural world through observation and experimentation. It aims to explain phenomena using theories that are based on evidence. Science deals with measurable and observable phenomena such as gravity and electricity.
Is Philosophy a Science?
The answer to this question depends on how we define science. If we define science as an empirical inquiry that relies on observable data to prove its theories, then philosophy cannot be called a science. However, if we define science as any systematic study of a subject using reason and critical thinking, then philosophy can be considered a science.
The Philosophical Method
Philosophy has its own method of inquiry which involves critical thinking and logical reasoning. Philosophers use deductive reasoning to arrive at conclusions based on premises that are assumed to be true. They also use inductive reasoning to arrive at generalizations based on specific observations.
The Scientific Method
Science also has its own method of inquiry which involves observation and experimentation. The scientific method involves formulating hypotheses based on observations, testing these hypotheses through experiments, analyzing the results of these experiments, and drawing conclusions based on the analysis.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether philosophy is called science or not depends on how we define science. While philosophy does not rely on empirical evidence to prove its theories, it does use reason and critical thinking to analyze concepts and ideas. Therefore, philosophy can be considered a science in its own right.
- Philosophy deals with abstract concepts while science deals with observable phenomena.
- Philosophy uses deductive and inductive reasoning while science relies on observation and experimentation.
- Whether philosophy is called science or not depends on how we define science.
References:
- https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/philosophy-science/
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/science