THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN LIBERAL EDUCATION .501 



an analysis of modern physical science, biological science, and 

 psychology. No facile solution of concrete, individual problems 

 is offered the student. The detailed facts of modern science 

 were quite unknown to Aristotle and to St. Thomas, and most 

 of those facts have been interpreted by philosophical principles 

 alien or actually opposed to the sound principles of perennial 

 philosophy. These courses attempt no ready-made syntheses of 

 modem data with Aristotelian principles. Rather they alert the 

 student to the constant need of examining principles which 

 underlie scientific investigations and interpretations, and which 

 periodically produce revolutions in scientific thought. 



An exhaustive survey of modern developments is not our 

 objective; hence, only selected problems are considered within 

 each field. In the field of physical science, the structure of the 

 macrocosm and microcosm requires serious consideration of 

 Newtonian and relativity physics as well as mechanistic and 

 statistical particle theory. The nature, origin and evolution of 

 life are biological problems providing excellent opportunities 

 for examining the validity of Aristotelian principles, while the 

 consideration of the " mind-body problem " in psychology 

 readily exemplifies the importance and perennial value of 

 Aristotelian principles in the development of psychology. 



If students coming to college are sufficiently familiar with 

 facts and techniques of natural science, the major portion of 

 these courses can be devoted to examining the principles basic 

 to the various theories proposed for the solution of problems. 

 This examination of diverse principles reveals the nature of 

 the problem proposed, the precise aspect of relevant material 

 under consideration, the limitations of the explanation, and 

 the influence of these principles on other disciplines. Such an 

 examination brings out clearly wherein diverse scientific views 

 are similar, and wherein they are fundamentally opposed. 



The impact of this four semester sequence in natural science 

 can hardly be overestimated. It inculcates an awareness of the 

 potential within human thought, an appreciation of the powers 

 of science beyond gadgetry and technology; and it provides a 

 means for philosophical tenets to permeate our analysis of 



