Science ~ What is it really about?

Discussion in 'General Philosophy' started by Quantum Quack, Apr 26, 2019.

  1. Quantum Quack Life's a tease... Valued Senior Member

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    The question is not that easy to answer if one chooses to look deep into the driving motivation behind science generally.

    Scientia potentia est "Knowledge is power"

    "Ipsa scientia potestas est"
    was a phrase attributed to Sir Francis Bacon, it means "knowledge itself is power" and was included in his writings titled "Meditationes Sacrae" (1597) the actual term that is in popular use today, Scientia potentia est (knowledge is power) has been attributed to Thomas Hobbes in 1668 in the written work "Leviathen".

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    The questions that come to mind to offer for topical discussion are:

    1. Are they correct in their assessment, that knowledge is power?
    2. How does this relate to the pursuit of knowledge?
    3. What power are they talking about?
    Do you have any other questions related to the topic?

    Care to discuss?
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2019
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  3. river

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    Sure

    Science , is about knowledge .

    Power destroys .
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2019
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  5. sculptor Valued Senior Member

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    and curiosity
     
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  7. river

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    Indeed
     
  8. Quantum Quack Life's a tease... Valued Senior Member

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    hmmm... interesting comment... Power destroys....
     
  9. river

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    Doesn't political power destroy science ?
     
  10. Quantum Quack Life's a tease... Valued Senior Member

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    Friedrich Nietzsche ( 1844 - 1900), a philosopher of some repute wrote a work called the "der Wille zur Macht" or in English "The Will to Power"
    from wiki
    The will to power describes what Nietzsche may have believed to be the main driving force in humans – achievement, ambition, and the striving to reach the highest possible position in life. These are all manifestations of the will to power; however, the concept was never systematically defined in Nietzsche's work, leaving its interpretation open to debate.
     
  11. river

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    So once there , in position of power , what do you do with it ?

    That defines the Man
     
  12. river

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    Science is really about knowledge .

    The more knowledge , the greater the chance of survival . For us .

    Not just on this planet , Earth . But beyond as well .
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2019
  13. Quantum Quack Life's a tease... Valued Senior Member

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    how does "climate change" created by humans relate to "greater chance of survival"?
     
  14. river

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    So climate change is completely because of Humans actions ?
     
  15. Quantum Quack Life's a tease... Valued Senior Member

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    is it?
     
  16. Quantum Quack Life's a tease... Valued Senior Member

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    What is science's ultimate ambition?
    Say in 2000 years from now what do we hope to have achieved?
     
  17. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    What do you think Science is really about?
     
  18. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    A better understanding of how the universe works, of course.
     
  19. Sarkus Hippomonstrosesquippedalo phobe Valued Senior Member

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    Science is entirely without ambition. It is simply knowledge, built up through observable, repeatable, and testable experience, that allows for prediction.
    Scientists, on the other hand... that's where the ambition lies.

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  20. exchemist Valued Senior Member

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    Neither of these people was talking about natural science.

    Scientia = knowledge. We use "science" nowadays as shorthand for natural science, in the same way some annoying people speak of "technology" when they mean information technology (IT).

    So your opening post is rather off the mark to start with.

    What do you want to talk about? Natural science, or the human search for knowledge gnerally?
     
  21. Beer w/Straw Transcendental Ignorance! Valued Senior Member

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    heh Science is the paradigm shift people keep looking for when they're bored.

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  22. sculptor Valued Senior Member

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    2000 years ago would anyone have been able to guess the current state of scientific achievements?
     
  23. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    Man-made climate change is not a result of knowledge. It is a result of ignorant and wanton use of knowledge.
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2019

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