Westfall Chap. 2-8

Jessica, Thomas, Koen, Floris, BJ

History & Philosophy of Science, Sci101, UC Fall 2002

Presentation Outline

I. Jessica (Circulation and Ovism)

II. DiscussionIII. Floris (The 17th Century Scientific

Attitude)

IV. DiscussionV. Coffee & Tea

Circulation and Ovism

Jessica

William Harvey

• ~ The heart is the household divinity which, discharging its function, nourishes, cherishes, quickens the whole body, and is indeed the foundation of life, the source of all action ~

Descartes vs. Harvey

Ex Ovo Omnia

Homunculus

Discussion

• Remember participation is likely to positively influence your grade.

Proposition

• The human being is mainly an organic body as opposed to a spiritual mind.

Proposition

• Was Francis Bacon correct in his opinion about science and the idea that science subjects nature to its authority?

Proposition

• Is Descartes still a true mechanist when you consider his expression ‘cogito ergo sum’ which was according to him the most fundamental truth?

Floris

On the 17th Century Scientific Attitude

What is ‘Revolution’?

A brainstorm.

Was the 17th Century a ‘Scientific Revolution?’

“[T]he reformulation of conceptions was radical enough to warrant the name ‘revolution’ that was frequently applied to it.”

- Westfall (1971, page 105)

Questions

–What is ‘revolution?’–Why was the 17th century a scientific revolution?

Dictionary“Revolution(1) In social sciences: (…)(2) A dramatic and wide-reaching

change in the way something works or is organized or in people’s ideas about it, e.g. marketing underwent a revolution.” - The New Oxford Dictionary of

English , Pearsall, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1998

Philosopher on ‘Revolution’• Kuhn:

– Scientific ‘development’ only within a certain paradigm

– Revolution = Paradigm Change

Distinction

• ‘Ordinary’ Scientific Development– Neatly categorising all animals and

describing what they look like.

• Revolution (part of)– Copernicus’ theory that the sun was

the centre of the universe ( paradigm change)

Was the 17th Century a ‘Scientific Revolution?’

• William of Ockham’s Razor:

‘If all things are equal, the most simple explanation is the right one.’

• By the way, he was a Medieval Philosopher.

Difference between books• What is the difference between

Westfall’s and Lindberg’s book?– Westfall: 17th Century / Lindberg:

Before– What occurs to you at first

glance? – Look at Westfall chapter III, VII

or VIII.

Westfall (the 17th Century)

• Much more formula’s and complex figures.

• (Content) research is more specific– scientists endeavour to specifically

and critically test hypotheses•experiments to verify theories= a different scientific attitude

Karl Popper• A scientist should try do everything

in his power to prove his theory to be incorrect (falsification)

• If he cannot prove his theory to be incorrect, but tried, then the theory is nice. If he proves it to be incorrect, he can adjust it.

• Therefore, this attitude leads to development.

Example of Scientific Attitude

• Pascal suspected that atmospheric pressure influenced the ‘barometer.’

• He figured that if this was so, then the barometer’s value would differ on different heights.

• He performed the ‘mountain experiment.’

Conclusions

• The 17th Century differed essentially from previous era:– Refusal of authority (remember v.

Helden)– Critical Hypothesis Testing

=Different Scientific Attitude

• Code Word: Criticism

A Closing Remark

•‘Science is an honour of the human race. Therefore, it is justified to say that it must be available for everyone.’–Anna Maria van Schuurman (Utrecht), 1624 (unofficial transl. by F.)

Discussion

• Remember participation is likely to positively influence your grade.

Discussion Design

• Remember participation is likely to positively influence your grade.

• One proposition• Group A – In favour• Group B – Against• 1 minute preparation

Proposition

• Descartes erased his harddrive and constructed a philosophy from scratch.

– Is this possible in principle?

– Did he succeed?

Proposition

• Was Newton a philosopher just like Descartes?

– Is it so that every scientific breakthrough brings a new perspective and is therefore automatically interwoven with philosophy?

Proposition• Alchemy in the 17th century

accomplished more than general chemistry.– Did the mechanical philosophy

cause any advancements within chemistry?– What about alchemy?– Is a scientific theory inferior because it accepts the occult?- ‘The purpose of science is the relief of man’s estate, the comfort and convenience of human life.’ (Westfall, paraphrasing F. Bacon)

Proposition

• Better instrumentation contributed the most to all the new discoveries in the 17th century.

Proposition

• Was Newton the end of Mechanical Philosophy?

The end

• Enjoy your coffee & tea