THE PLACE OF PHILOSOPHY IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE

The claim of Philosophy being the only science was challenged by physical sciences in the 19th century despite opposition offered by protagonists of Philosophy. Physical science had superiority over Philosophy in being exact and thus effective philosophy lacked proof and substance. It’s methodically and universality was, therefore, limited. It thus failed to stand against physical sciences as a science in itself.

There is no branch of philosophy which has remained unwaged by scientists. Even though the history of philosophy has no scientific basis, it continues to be thought-provoking in view of its contribution to the progress of science initial stages. Some of the philosophers tried to deal with such theories as had their link with scientific data, more progressive among them remolded philosophical methods along with the scientific exactitudes. Philosophy came to be regarded as a branch of science within its own limited sphere. But the scientists rejected such claims of philosophy and regarded its methods as contrary to the methods of science. They retorted that the philosophers were sentimental in their behavior and should not in sciences. The scientists, claimed the philosophers. On the other hand, was not realistic intheir approach as they adhered to rigid materialistic principals; and that only Philosophy could spread the real science of human existence?

During the last quarter of the century, Effort; were made to establish relationships between the methods of Philosophy and Science. Ancient philosophers were ignorant of the new approach of thinking introduced by modem scientists. Philosophy was regarded as the outcome of the confused meaning of science, totality of knowledge and gospels of Plato.

Modern science has a wide scope just as the ancient Philosophy had. There is no aspect of human life which science does not touch. Since cosmos could not be explained on the basis of new scientific data, modern day Science has come very much closer to Philosophy. The purpose of Science has been to find out ways and means in seeking exact knowledge. While pursuing such aims, it admits of “infinite independent branches of knowledge; it seems unity and uniformity of all these.