Philosophy, Science, and Art: Foundations of Reality

Philosophy: Definition and Origins

Definition of Philosophy: Philosophy is the knowledge of all beings by their root causes, acquired by the natural light of reason.

Reality and Wonder

Reality to the Wonder: A human being's attitude of admiring everything for which there is no explanation.

The Questioning Attitude

Questioning Attitude Features: For investigating the causes of the phenomena we observe and connections between them, in order to find the ultimate foundations of reality.

Origin of Philosophy

Origin of Philosophy: In Miletus, an ancient Greek city in the sixth century BC.

Factors Favoring the Origin of Philosophy

• Participation of citizens in the polis.
• Cultural exchange with other Mediterranean peoples.
• The importance of education in Greek culture.
• The creation of places that promoted political and cultural discussions of the polis.
• The acquisition by the Greek man of a deep awareness of itself and its rationality.
• The perception of the universe as an order.

Modern Science

The 5 Main Features of Modern Science

1. Not supported as objects of study rather than empirically observable.
2. Leaving aside the qualitative aspects of things to focus on the purely quantitative, which are the only measurable.
3. Gives up the inquiry into the purpose in nature.
4. It attempts to discover laws rather than reveal causes.
5. All the achievements have to be expressed by mathematical functions.

Interrelation Between Science and Philosophy

Dependence Relationship: Science & Philosophy

Many times the positive sciences have to start from philosophical concepts (such as the concept of life in biology). In turn, philosophy interprets data from the positive sciences (individuals) and integrates them into a vision of universal reality, general. When placed on a universal level, philosophy endorses the first principles of all knowledge and supports the validity of the various scientific methods. Possible, therefore, a hierarchical classification of the sciences. In addition, scientific advances do not undermine the human being and its environment.

Philosophy and Art

Similarities and Differences Between Philosophy and Art

Both philosophy and art are at a level of inner freedom against the pragmatic purposes of daily life (leisure). But philosophy, like science, is aimed at progressive knowledge (discourse) of the foundations of reality, while art expresses the reality in an intuitive and creative way.