Philosophy, Science, and Technology: Interconnections
The Roots of Philosophy and Science
Philosophy is the oldest science, and science sprang from the need to observe, experiment, and test things to determine their truth.
- Formal Sciences: Deduction is based on abstract ideas; they do not refer to facts of experience, lack skepticism in arguments, and are numerical and symbolic. They are governed by their own internal coherence and develop from deductible principles.
- Empirical Sciences: These are based on experience and are classified as:
- Natural Sciences: Aimed at studying nature.
- Social Sciences: Devoted to studying humans and their behaviors.
Epistemology: The Study of Knowledge
Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that aims to study knowledge itself, its methods, and its limits.
- Rationalism: Knowledge is based on reason.
- Empiricism: The foundation of knowledge is based on experience, which establishes valid criteria of certainty.
- Theoretical Knowledge: Consists of explanatory and predictive descriptions of the subject matter.
- Practical Knowledge: It is not a description of the world but rather a way of acting in itself.
- Dogmatism: Supports the idea of certain and universal knowledge.
- Skepticism: Denies knowledge due to the imperfection of the senses.
- Subjectivism: Defends that truth depends on the subject.
- Perspectivism: Based on the idea that reality can be seen differently from different perspectives.
- Pragmatism: Relates knowledge to its practical ability.
- Criticism: Considers knowledge susceptible to constant revision.
Methods of Science
- Deductive Method: Refers to concepts or abstract ideas and is characteristic of formal sciences.
- Inductive Method: Based on real events and is characteristic of experimental sciences.
- Deductive Process: A logical reasoning process that can be derived from one or more given propositions.
- Inductive Process: Reasoning that leads to a general conclusion from a set of specific cases of experience. It can be:
- Complete: Knowledge is based on all and each of the concrete cases.
- Incomplete: Not all cases are known; they are not real if they are never likely.
Proto-technology and the Evolution of Knowledge
Proto-technology can be seen in the use of tools by chimpanzees for food and self-defense. Writing allowed for the storage of encoded information, enabling the accumulation and transmission of acquired cultural knowledge throughout humankind.
Advances in Science and Society
- Improvements: Advances have improved people’s quality of life, such as remedies for diseases and increased food production.
- Problems: They have caused problems in the environment and the globalization of disease transmission.
Philosophical Perspectives on Science
- Karl Popper: Science is evolving and getting closer to the truth.
- Paul Feyerabend: The scientific method raises questions about science, and it is not a more valid form of knowledge than others.
- Thomas Kuhn: Science is more than just methods and rules; it is an activity developed by a collective.
Limits of Science
There may be a lack of available technology to continue experimenting, insufficient economic resources, varying proficiency levels between groups, and moral and ethical considerations.
Science and Economy
Econophysics uses mathematical models for the stock market. The relationship between the economy and technology affects physics, machinery, companies, and businesses, and it impacts jobs.
Science and Art
Architecture is based on fractal geometry and mathematics. Art, aside from fractal geometry, uses computer programs to obtain results with aesthetic value.
Science and Religion
Religion was the dominant ideology, and those whose beliefs fell outside of it were not accepted and could even face death. Scientists could not express their ideas and apply their theories if they deviated from religious dogma. Thanks to Darwin’s theory of evolution, science was able to become independent from religion.