Two philosophical contributions to modern physics

Jagdish Hattiangadi

pp. 91-103

in: Nimrod Bar Am, Stefano Gattei (eds), Encouraging openness, Berlin, Springer, 2017

Abstract

Early modern science is composed of two momentous philosophical innovations supplementing the Copernican hypothesis. Francis Bacon proposed a new epistemological method for deciphering reality faithfully behind discrepancies in its appearance. To succeed in this experimentally oriented task, he asks us to suspend all metaphysical judgment. Reflecting on the apparent indiscernibility of the earth's motion, however, Galileo invented a dramatic new metaphysics: motion (the enigmatic "becoming" of ancient philosophy) is governed by the most perfectly understandable geometrical laws that are also the most fundamental in nature. Modern physics is unimaginable if it were not experimental and mathematical at once. Each of these new philosophical breakthroughs commanded our assent, it would seem, but they fit uncomfortably together.

Cited authors

Bacon Francis