Philosophy for science students

Einstein’s resolution of the apparent incompatability between the Newtonian principle of relativity and the law of the constancy of the velocity of light in vacuo by a reflective analysis of the physical conceptions of time and space disclosed, in theoretical physics, the unsuspected operation of an epistemological factor which had already been discerned in experimental physics by Duhem, Poincaré, and others. The analysis and interpretation of this factor have originated a variety of philosophies of science which are relevant here only as they offer unmistakable witness to the bearing of philosophy and its characteristic procedures upon physical science; a bearing in the ignorance of which one might achieve distinction in science without, however, understanding one’s claim to distinction. On the assumption that this bearing presents the only available, solid, practical ground upon which scientist and philosopher can meet, each without benefit of the highly specialized and sustained training demanded for competence in these areas today, we, at Notre Dame, are in the process of constructing and presenting a course in philosophy for majors in physics and mathematics. The purpose of this paper is to sketch, for any helpful comment which it might evoke, the origins, content, spirit, and aims of this course.

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