Science and Philosophy

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We live in a world dominated by technology. The device you are reading this on, the chair you sit on, and the building you live in, all are constructed as a result of scientific research and technological advancement in the last few centuries. Science tells us a lot about how the world works. From tiny sub-atomic particles to massive cosmological bodies, science gives us several models to view, comprehend, and also change the world we reside in. But is science enough to solve everything? Can science prove sufficient to solve each and every mystery of life? Maybe yes, maybe not. As of now, however, there is a multitude of unanswered questions which scientists still struggle to solve, such as the explanation of human consciousness and subjective experience.

Science can explain how emotions occur in the brain, but it cannot find an equation to explain why we feel about ourselves the way we do. It cannot explain whether our mind resides in our brain or not, if yes then how, and what the mind means in the first place? Even the latest research in neuroscience has no clue about where our consciousness resides. But we very well know that consciousness exists. No matter whether one is a scientist or a non-scientist, theist or atheist, young or old, cruel or kind, nobody can deny the fact that we experience things. We cannot deny their existence, but at the same time, we cannot explain their existence. This is one example of where science, in spite of all its wonders, falls short, and where philosophy comes to the party.

As a kid, I had heard the term “philosophy” but never really understood what it meant. A quick Google search defines philosophy as “the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline” and “a theory or attitude that acts as a guiding principle for behaviour.” The former definition defines philosophy as two of its branches: epistemology; the study of knowledge, and metaphysics; a study of the fundamentals of reality. The latter defines it like another branch: ethics; the study of moral principles. There are other branches of philosophy such as aesthetics, politics, logic, and axiology but we will not get into the jargon here.

The point of this article is to understand why philosophy is an important subject, especially in the 21st century, and the best way to understand this is to compare and contrast it with science.

Similarities between philosophy and science:

1. Both try to understand reality through observation and evidence: While a scientist grapples with data and charts to model a real-world scenario and predict what the future holds in store, a philosopher considers evidence from multiple disciplines in order to form a worldview to see where we stand and predict what the future holds in store.
2. Both use human rationality and reason to build upon their knowledge: Rationality is the basis on which science is built, without any exception. And apart from some exceptions, philosophy also relies on logical arguments, debates, and research to advance knowledge.
3. Both are allowed to update themselves with time and with new evidence: Einstein’s theory of relativity was an update made to Newtonian physics, just as the humanistic philosophy we have today (which can be attributed to philosophers like Immanuel Kant) is an update to older schools of thought.
4. Both depend on each other, and both complement each other: Philosophical understanding of the world does take into account scientific understanding of human biology, physics and chemistry. And science depends on philosophy because science itself cannot answer the question of what we should do with so much of the power it gives us. For example, should we use brain research to cure Alzheimer’s or to increase the capabilities of slow learners? Should we use AI in order to drive autonomous vehicles, or carry out surgical operations, or fight wars?

Differences between philosophy and science:

1. Science “works”, while philosophy doesn’t: An aeroplane flies as a result of science, not philosophy. A computer begins when you press the power button because of science, not philosophy. Science can produce vaccines to eradicate a virus, philosophy cannot.
2. Science is ONLY about facts. Philosophy is about facts as well as moral principles, and actionable guidelines. Science can tell you how to build nuclear weapons, but only philosophy can tell how right or wrong it is, and whether it is a pursuit worth undertaking. Science can win wars, build AI robots and take us to space, and upgrade our brains to something stronger, but only philosophy can tell whether all these things are worth pursuing in the first place. Therefore, science is more “correct” than philosophy, but philosophy is more “practical” than science.
3. Science is just around 500 years old. Philosophical thinking all around the world began at least as early as 2500 years ago, or even before that. Ancient philosophies have the superpower of being time-tested, while science does not.

Some questions that only science or only philosophy can (attempt to) answer:

1) Science: How do we increase the production of grain, milk, eggs, and meat to feed the growing population? Philosophy: Is it correct to use pesticides for increasing farm produce, and enslave chickens and goats for milk, eggs, and meat just to satisfy human wants?

2) Science: How do we build AI in order to automate human tasks? Philosophy: Is it ethical to give AI so much power? Is it okay if it increases unemployment and inequality?

3) Science: Which chemical in the brain makes people happy? Philosophy: Is human happiness the sole purpose of science? Does happiness only mean the concentration of a chemical in the brain? What is happiness, in the first place?

4) Science: If we introduce a lockdown for a month, how much will a virus be contained? Philosophy: Is it appropriate to impose a lockdown if it results in mass unemployment and starvation?

So which one do we need more? Science or philosophy? The answer is both. We need science to cure life’s ailments and philosophies to make us understand life as it is. We all need philosophy to understand our role in this world, and how we relate to other entities. In the 21st century, with new technologies popping up as fast as anytime before, we need philosophy in order to understand our purpose, what is good and bad, what we should do, and what ultimately makes life good. With research in AI, biotechnology, genetics, and neuroscience, we really need to understand our own nature, the human condition, what it means to be human, and what it means to be alive and conscious. Science is cold and blind. It does not understand the implications of its power on human life and human suffering. We need to use philosophical treatment in order to understand the meaning of our existence. The ability to help others, transcend our own desires, do meaningful work, and believe in something greater than yourself; be it, God, be it Fortune, Luck, Probability or anything is what makes life beautiful. No science can explain why it does. It just does. And with the practical guidelines that philosophy can give us, we will always strive towards it. Hence, it is only by balancing the two sides of science and philosophy that we can hope for a well-balanced and good future.