How is Science Possible? An Aristotelian Critique of Popper’s and Wittgenstein’s Theory of Knowledge
In: Shift. International Journal of Philosophical Studies, 2019
Permalink: http://digital.casalini.it/5155610
Aristotle warns us against clever words and wishful thinking regarding model- making in the course of science. Contriving patterns to understand this is of no help. Aristotle once again introduces the notion of the limits of reason and human activity. He manifests how illusory it is to ever participate in any harmonic ideal of science. Nonetheless, he asks why even in things which have no life there is a ruling principle as in a musical mode. And he offers no answers regarding what triggers the psycho-somatic content of our experiences, causing them to be musical, harmonic – especially, regarding the immaterial. Popper and Wittgenstein draw a line of demarcation between what is permissible in science and what is not. Despite evidence to the contrary, their theory of knowledge presupposes the production and the realisation of values. This production can not be taken for granted in Aristotle.
Keywords: Body-mind Problem, Material Reductionism, Non-Realism, History of Philosophy, Modern Epistemology