Abstract

This chapter chronicles the complex relationship between philosophy and science throughout history. It illustrates how they have mutually influenced each other in modern times. Philosophy and science are thought to be polar opposites, but they are not as different as they seem to be. Philosophy is considered part of the humanities and not the sciences. However, it can be argued that schools of science branched off from the domain of philosophy. Scientific studies start as or are inspired by philosophical ideas. Mathematics, the very paradigm of a logical and rational discipline that much of science embodies, is a lot like philosophy in that it involves ideas that have no empirical basis and uses logic.