Philosophy and Science: Identity – Kinship – Hostility

Abstract

For the last two centuries the relationship between philosophy and science have constantly been an issue that provoked vehement quarrels. Positions in theses quarrels are mostly based on a relatively narrow cultural and theoretical horizon. It is rather likely that an uncompromising stance would be represented by an ad­vocate of positivism. Meanwhile an alternative standpoint is not only possible but also quite desirable. The question of self-determination of philosophy cannot be solved by any of the answers about its attitude to science, since the grounds on which such an answer is based (various historical, national and general cul­tural attitudes) are significantly different. The severity and regular recurrence of such disputes are to be taken as symptoms of the fact that some fundamental questions are raised here concerning the nature of both science and philosophy. This means, in particular, that such disputes could never stop, but will constantly serve as an instrument of self-consciousness and self-determination of both phi­losophy and sciences. It is shown that the these disputes are caused by hetero­geneous reaons: a) radicalization of the question of the scientific nature of phi­losophy and the foundations of knowledge in German idealism; b) processes of separation of areas of knowledge, i.e. the separation of science and art; c) in­volvement in science of wider social strata, as well as changes in the organiza­tional forms of science itself. However, the results of these transformations were quite apparent not until the second half of the 19. Century and have been pre­ceded by a long tradition of synonymy between “sciences” and “arts” that is partly reflected in the concept of “artes liberales”. Strong identification of phi­losophy with the study of nature in the British tradition gives us another example of a disputed and controversial relation.