Single Idea 6117

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / G. Scientific Philosophy / 3. Scientism]

Full Idea

We would be wise to build our philosophy upon science, because the risk of error in philosophy is pretty sure to be greater than in science.

Gist of Idea

Philosophy should be built on science, to reduce error

Source

Bertrand Russell (Logical Atomism [1924], p.160)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Russell's Logical Atomism', ed/tr. Pears,David [Fontana 1972], p.160


A Reaction

If you do very little, it reduces the 'risk of error'. I agree that philosophers should start from the facts, and be responsive to new facts, and that science is excellent at discovering facts. But I don't think cognitive science is the new epistemology.