Scientific background to Modern philosophy Research Paper

Scientific background to Modern philosophy - Research Paper Example There have been several claims that philosophy grew from science. Some argue that the reverse is the case, while other scholars are for the idea that science and philosophy complement each other. Better than saying, it has been proven beyond doubt that successful philosophical researches, advancements and methodologies have frequently been closely related to science. The history of modern philosophy essentially dates back to the 17th century which was mainly driven and determined by forces such as Renaissance, metaphysics, rationalism, empiricism, idealism and pragmatism. Hence this article is going to give an account and exploration of the relations between science and philosophy by looking at some essential scientific revolutions, especially by looking at persons who advanced these scientific revolutions. In specific, this paper will be examining the contributions and views of Galileo in scientific revolutions that have directly contributed to shaping modern philosophy. In addition , this paper will look at the connection and the degree to which science is connected with life which consequently brings about modern philosophy. Taking Galileo for instance, his scientific mechanics have greatly influenced men’s minds and has also played an important role in coming up with philosophical views and methodologies. Scientific theories and revolutions have to a great extent influenced modern philosophy. Directly or indirectly, scientific theories such as Galileo’s findings on scientific revolutions have influenced philosophy in one way or the other. Galileo is considered as one of the greatest men of age who contributed greatly to philosophy because his findings were very fundamental to laying the foundations of modern philosophy. Galileo was also regarded as one of the initiators in modern philosophy. This is since he was not only a mathematician but also philosopher because the world of today would not be complete without Galileo’s mathematical f indings. Being the mathematician that he was is what makes him to be viewed as the type of philosopher he was at that time. In brief, Galileo in the history of scientific revolutions was an Italian astronomer and mathematician who was the first to use a telescope to study the stars; demonstrated that different weights descend at the same rate; and perfected the refracting telescope that enabled him to make many discoveries, and had his lifetime from 1564 to 1642 (Morgan & Michael, 2011). In precise, Galileo’s contributions were based on a new scientific discovery and methods of mathematical expressions. As much as there were other scientists during the age of his time, Galileo’s contributions were still considered very instrumental in prompting most of the scientific ideas that have shaped philosophy. His finding that has widely shaped and influenced the world of philosophers and astronomers was the discovery of stars in the Milky-Way, and the nebulous stars by the use of the telescope. Apart from that, Galileo formulated three laws of motion based on the force of gravity, which have as well influenced and shaped modern philosophical studies in the field of science and dynamics. He went further to come up with accurate mathematical expressions of time, velocity and distance that could predict and ascertain exact mathematical values. Consequently these mathematical advancements by Galileo have brought about surety in the field of physical phenomenon. The contributions of Galileo and other early scientist have hence promoted and influenced how people think, ways of life and further intellectual revolutions that have helped shape modern philosophy. Darwin’s theory of evolution for instance has had a weighty impact on the conception of man’s niche and place in nature. To a large extent, these successes of scientific theories by Galileo amongst other scientists have influenced what is now new in modern philoso