This chapter considers Aristotle’s scientific method as opposed to the modern Baconian empirical/pragmatic and Cartesian mathematical/rationalistic approaches. Aristotle is the father of systematic science as well as the founder of logic and metaphysics. He provides us with an integrated and deep philosophical picturing of the world and then applies this philosophical framing to produce meaningful individual sciences. I show that Aristotle’s science provides us with a topological view of the world with each of its objects analysed, considered on its own terms, and then considered in context. I take his “Poetics” and his “Rhetoric” as examples of Aristotle’s science to show how he takes a subject area and treats it not only technically but also metaphysically. Following his emphasis upon the “ousia,” Aristotle’s special sciences work from the nature of their subject matters. They represent how we engage with each type of being with poetics, rhetoric, logic, biology, physics, chemistry etc. all being shaped by how we can engage with each respective subject matter or field. Aristotle’s observations on science are evidently true, but are they valid? Can something be true and invalid? The issue at stake is the role of science in our lives. Do we want the knowledge of science or the power of technology?

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Can We Learn from Aristotle’s Science Today?

  • Peter N. Jackson

摘要

This chapter considers Aristotle’s scientific method as opposed to the modern Baconian empirical/pragmatic and Cartesian mathematical/rationalistic approaches. Aristotle is the father of systematic science as well as the founder of logic and metaphysics. He provides us with an integrated and deep philosophical picturing of the world and then applies this philosophical framing to produce meaningful individual sciences. I show that Aristotle’s science provides us with a topological view of the world with each of its objects analysed, considered on its own terms, and then considered in context. I take his “Poetics” and his “Rhetoric” as examples of Aristotle’s science to show how he takes a subject area and treats it not only technically but also metaphysically. Following his emphasis upon the “ousia,” Aristotle’s special sciences work from the nature of their subject matters. They represent how we engage with each type of being with poetics, rhetoric, logic, biology, physics, chemistry etc. all being shaped by how we can engage with each respective subject matter or field. Aristotle’s observations on science are evidently true, but are they valid? Can something be true and invalid? The issue at stake is the role of science in our lives. Do we want the knowledge of science or the power of technology?