ORDER IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF NATURE 275 



at least an overlapping, if not a real conflict. A partial resolu- 

 tion is certainly possible. Insofar as empirical science is factual, 

 its data are required as preliminary to causal demonstration 

 at the various levels of natural philosophy, for a rich experience 

 is prerequisite to natural philosophy. Insofar as empirical 

 science is mathematicized, it is a scientia media distinct from 

 natural philosophy.-^ But if mathematics is used as an instru- 

 ment for the investigation of facts, and if the facts have thereby 

 been certainly established, they may be taken over by the 

 natural philosopher and demonstrated in the light of his 

 proper principles. From this point of view, mathematicized 

 science is instrumental to philosophy.^® Insofar as modern 

 science is hypothetical, its relations with natural philosophy 

 can be only on the level of a dialectical continuation of phi- 

 losophy. At this stage of modern science we can argue that 

 there is a de facto influence of philosophy upon the scientist, 

 whether it be mechanism, logical positivism, or — are we ana- 

 thema for suggesting a desideratum^ — Thomism. At least, if 

 nature is to be understood, rather than merely catalogued or 

 used, then natural philosophy must shed its light even into the 

 dark corners of scientific theory .^° 



One point is most noteworthy. Natural philosophy does not 

 depend on scientific theory, but rather vice versa. The doctrine 

 of hylomorphism, for instance, is not built on the shifting sands 

 of scientific theory. Aristotle elaborated his doctrine long ago 

 on the basis of common observation. The discoveries and 

 theories of the passing centuries have not overturned that 

 doctrine, but rather look to it to introduce intelligibility and 

 order into the confused maze of modern facts and theories. ^^ 



^* In De Trin., 5, 3, ad 6. 



'* In I De Coelo, 3, n. 6. 



^^ We have studied the relevance of these principles to the science of psychology 

 in "Toward an Integrated Psychology," Proceedings of the American Catholic 

 Philosophical Association (1958), 139-148. 



^^ " It is enough for us to remark that rectitude of conscience in scientific research 

 has led modern thought to the threshold of the only philosophy which can give a 

 reasonable interpretation of the results obtained by experimentation. . . . The 

 theory of matter and form, of potency and act, is capable of illuminating the 



