The History of Science at the Crossroads of the Pathways towards Philosophy and History

Abstract

The history of science has one particular characteristic: science progresses. Whereas in the history of peoples and civilizations, high points are always followed by low points, and human progress winds its way through declines and disasters, as the past century shows only too well, for its part the development of science seems directed toward a goal. Of course, scientific progress can slow down and once a science is acquired, it can even fall into oblivion, but the important point is that the researcher is conscious of the fact that he is proceeding with the other scientists along the same pathway, though one whose direction is not yet fixed. Though it may be difficult, perhaps even impossible, for them to describe this direction clearly, they all have the certainty that it leads to a goal. Even the historian observing the results of this development over the course of a few centuries perceives not just an evolution, but an evolution towards a goal. Scientists have almost always been unanimous in this opinion, which is, I believe, justified, as long as one strictly abstains from adding the idea of moral progress into the mix.

Originally published as “L’histoire des sciences au carrefour du chemin vers la philosophie et des routes vers l’histoire,” Revue philosophique de Louvain 94, 3 (August 1996): 471–501. (Louvain-la-Neuve: Editions de l’Institut Supérieur de Philosophie).