The beneits of studying philosophy for science education

Abstract

Almost every educated person knows that science, understood here as a systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation (Stevenson, 2010), has been extremely valuable in helping us understand our world. Less well known are the benefits of studying philosophy. These include broadening and deepening one’s perspective of reality, developing critical and analytical thinking, becoming more sensitive to the underlying assumptions of one’s views, and helping one interpret the implications of scientific findings, clarify concepts, make distinctions, determine what is and is not relevant, perceive possibilities, think more creatively and imaginatively, and to become more balanced and holistic in the formation of one’s worldview. Many eminent scientists throughout history have valued the study of philosophy, including physicist Sir Anthony James Leggett (Nobel Prize 2003) who testifies to this in his contribution to this volume. Sadly, there is presently a small but outspoken group of scientists whose views have been characterised by an overestimation of science and a disparagement of philosophy, and whose arguments are ironically based on bad philosophical reasoning which demonstrates a lack of the above mentioned qualities, as the rest of this article will show. It should be emphasised at the onset that the views of this group, which include Stephen Hawking, Peter Atkins and others, are by no means representative of scientists in general. On the contrary, they have been criticised by eminent colleagues, examples of whom will be mentioned below. Nevertheless, the views of Hawking et al have been influential on the public – including university undergraduates – through their writing of popular science books, and therefore it is important that their views concerning philosophy be addressed. (Abstract taken from Introduction)