Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1880-03-13
Science and PhIIosophy.
]. W. Caldwell, 5. W. P. University.

D. " StANW eli w OnlNtISltt.
We dissent entirely from tn
opinion entertained by many, tina
|, Science is a dictator, and that he
object and tendency are to dethron
the God of the Universe. The posi-
tion which Science assumes is ia
more modest than this. 1t is tru
that she propounds laws; but thes
are not of her own making-the,
are only the transcript of Natur
itself. She is an interpreter, reveal
ing the contents of a grand ant
beautiful production, written in al
unknown tongue; she is an explorer
carrying the torch of reason into thu
previously unpenetrated darkness
And though often the ray she cast
before her may be faint and unsatis
factory; though her rendering O
the various parts of the poem may
be less clear and ornate than might
have been desired-still, she recog-
niZes that it is alone her mission, as
an humble searcher, to study, t.
discover, and to disclose; not tc
usurp the prerogative Of Governor,
nor to enact laws for the Cosmos.
Science is the product Of PRi1OSo-
phy; the two go hand in hand, and
it is folly to attempt to separate
them. Philosophy is defined to be
the Investigation of causation; but
| the desire (native in the human
mind) to know the causes of phe-
nomena stands at the very begin
nings of Science, whether natural
or metaphysical; it is present in
every process, and is satisfied only
when the goal is reached. The
methods of Philosophy are those
upon which Science rests, and to
which she must ever look for the
acquisition of anything valuable.
Science laDOriousiy collects data,
which she classifies and arranges;
and in accordance with the Baceni-
an System of Induction, she COM
pares and generalizes, thus obtain
ing her so-calIed laws. This is all,
eonfessedly, legitimate work for the
Scientist; but when he goes on, as is
most natural for him TO do, to work
out the causes of phenomena, he is
met by stern prohibition, on the
ground that he thereby trespasses
upon the domain of the Philoso-
pher, with which he has nothing to
do. Now, either he has the right
to play the role Of the Philosopher,
if he chooses, or he has not. If he
has, then the Injunction has been
wrongfully issued ;.if he has not, the
Injunction should have been served
before, for from the very outset Of
his career he has been exercising the
functions of Philosopher. No; the
truth is, the Scientist, just in so far
as he Is scientific must he PhiIoso-
pher; for Science proceeds upon
philosOphic principles. 1t is there
fore as unjust as it is useless to en-
deavor to fetter Science, and by
hair-splitting distinctions attempt |
to dissociate those offices which are |
naturally united.
Again, we do not accept the asser-
ton that the Scientist is by his pre-
vious training untitled for the pur-
suit of the Investigation of causa-
ton; it certainly appears very
strange that he who has followed |
successfully in the search for phe- +
nomena, and has carefully studied,
classified and compared them, in
stead of being thereby placed in a |
position of advantage, is really dis
qualified from continuing the same
line of effort. We do not under
stand that the mental processes and
powers necessary to obtain the laws
of Science, are so distinct from those
called into requisition to obtain a
theory of eausation, as that they
may not be concurrently and har-
exercised. 1t is useless
to speak of scientific knowledge
being "certain knowledge" True,
the etymology Of the term Science
points to that which is kROl71-but
will it not be conceded that the
body of Science in every age has
much that has been,
without sufficient foundation, as
The COpernican theory
has superseded the Ptolemaic, and
Newton's "emissions of luminous
has been oVershadowed
by the undulations of hypothetical
who can venture to affirm
that either the Copernican theory or
the principle of undulations may
not be in turn overthrown? No
human knowledge can be declared
and absolutely necessary.
Science advances, not solely in con-
sequence of acceSsions of facts, but
also by means of more philOsophic
modes of viewing and Interpreting
those facts which are already pos
seSsed. But what has the professed
Philosophy of this boasting century
even in the domain
Of OntolOgy? In regard to the Nat
lral Sciences, it may have exposed
The baseless character of many the
1ries attempted to be reared upon
foundations. But has
of herself constructed
any system proof against all attack?
1t is more easy to pull down than to
Duild up. Indeed, we believe that
he Office of pure Philosophy (if
here be such) is rather one of re-
view and control, than of original
Investigation.
Again: Science has been defined
% be the systematic knowledge of
ixed relations. Fixed relations are
.hus constituted the limit of the
province of Science. But is not
his d condition necessary to all acts
If reasoning and phfiosophizing?
The relations of subject and predi-
ate, of premises and conclusion,
ire assumed to be ''fiXed," other
wise there would be no meaning in
heir juxtaposition. In the Sciences
If Nature, as, for instance, astrono-
ny and geology, the foundation
upon which all subsequent
rest, is that the laws
If matter and force, demonstrated
o be in operation upon this Earth
plteTe to-day, are the same laws as
lave 0LlUdgJS operated i11 all parts of
he material a02iUerse; I; the uniformity
If natures modes constitutes the
,nly basis upon which can possibly |
De founded theory of the distant
n space or time. The physicist,
hen, assuming the operation of the
anne dynamical agencies, acting in
with the same general
avs, endeavors to explain phenOm-
ma by certain causes, and these
,auses by more remote causes, and
70 on, as far as possible, always hav-
ng respect to the methods of action
If forces now present, at the same
ime taking cognizance of all the
differences Ofcircumstance,
We repeat, if this general hypothe-
is is denied, there is no other stand
ng gronnd possible for either scien-
ist or philosopher. Upon this, it is
doubtful how far in the chain of
either can proceed surely
nd foIu Monxy nV.rnt.c hoxya haau |