Science, Philosophy, and the Humanities
摘要
In this chapter, I reflect on the enduring dialogue between science and other domains of human thoughtHuman thought—philosophyPhilosophy, theologyTheology, and the artsArts. I argue that science must not isolate itself but engage in a relationship of equality and mutual enrichment with these traditions. I critique scientific dogmatismScientific dogmatism and defend the value of metaphysical speculationMetaphysical speculation, intuitionIntuition, and aesthetic experienceAesthetic experience. Through essays on geometryGeometry, human natureHuman nature, and the third cultureThird culture, I explore how philosophical and artistic perspectives can deepen scientific understanding. I also examine the emotional and existential dimensions of scientific inquiry, including the melancholyMelancholy that arises from confronting the limits of knowledgeLimits of knowledge. Ultimately, I advocate for a humanistic scienceHumanistic science—one that embraces complexity, fosters critical thinkingCritical thinking, and remains open to other ways of knowing. Science, in my view, is not the sole torchbearer of truth but a vital companion in our collective search for meaning. The perspective adopted here is one of dialogue among different domains of knowledge, without reducing one to another or establishing hierarchical supremacy.