Chapter 12 



Philosophy, the Guide of Mental Life 



The intimate relation between philosophy and science is evident 

 from the fact that until comparatively recent times scientists were 

 known as natural philosophers. Etymologically, philosophy means 

 the love of wisdom. In its broadest sense, philosophy includes 

 the physical and mathematical sciences, as well as mental and 

 moral philosophy, now often called mental and moral science. 

 Metaphysics (literally after physics) is a branch of philosophy 

 which studies the first principles of being and of knowledge; and 

 though it makes full use of scientific facts, it is often loosely spoken 

 of as "speculative philosophy." Students of social phenomena 

 want to be called "social scientists," for science to-day is a word 

 to conjure with; but they are really social philosophers because 

 they seek not only knowledge but also wisdom in social matters. 



The social, moral, and political turmoil caused by the impact 

 on mankind of numerous and basic discoveries of facts by experi- 

 mental scientists brings into sharp focus the great difference be- 

 tween scientific knowledge and philosophical wisdom. Wisdom 

 involves making proper and desirable use of what science reveals. 

 The Duke of Wellington, addressing an officer whose report was 

 replete with undigested details, blurted out: "Sir, your informa- 

 tion is too great for your understanding." Stung into action by 

 failure of statesmen and politicians to make wise use of the power 

 scientific discoveries placed in their hands, many scientists are 

 adding philosophy, politics, and statesmanship to their endeavors. 

 Benjamin Franklin, an outstanding natural philosopher, was also 

 a wise and capable statesman. 



The main part of this book having been devoted to purely 

 material matters, this last chapter considers some of the philosoph- 

 ical aspects and conclusions which a personal review of the im- 

 personal facts of science seems to warrant. Since mathematics is 

 largely used to develop new knowledge from experimental ob- 



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