Are mathematics and Physics the only successful branches of philosophy?

Question

Many people neglect to consider mathematics and physics as branches of philosophy. Historically, there is no difference, whereas today there is a pretty deep gulf between the two.
Will philosophy ever catch up?

By successful, I mean the following: a modern physicst knows far better physics than Aristotle or any other physicst from over, say, one hundred years ago. Similar story in Mathematics.

Don't get me wrong: I love philosophy. I just think that Plato knew more philosophy than any modern philosopher. And consider that Law and Political science haven't really advanced since their basic forms were created in ancient Greece.

Is there an equivalent philosophical achievement that compares to the Mars Mission in the demonstration of the superiority of modern knowledge to the classical.

In my opinion, philosophy per se is degenerating. Instead of moving towards objectivity and quantification, the field embraces subjectivity and choas.

What to do?

Also, clearly Math and Physics came from philosophy. That is, you could show endlessly how much they are in debt to their father field and how they have numerous similarities.

However, the problem is that philosophy has darkened the waters of its field rather than clarified them. I think that the classical Greek philosophers had a clearer understanding of human existence than any modern philosopher. However, the modern mathematician has a much better, clearer understanding of his field than the Grecian mathematician.

Most modern philosophers claim that philosophy is all about the process. That one learns and grows through contemplation. But that is not what philosophy is defined to be (at least by its founders). Philosophy is about finding answers and guiding humans forward with truths. Nobody can deny that it has failed in this. Modern philosophy has reduced what, in my mind, was the greatest human endeavor, to a child's gymnasium of the mind.

Answer 1

By definition, philosophy is the study of the nature of reality. If you posit that Math and Physics are the successful branches of philosophy, then it follows that your personal philosophy depends on scientific logic and measurable proof. On the other hand, many of us believe in the metaphysical so our reality is much different from yours. Plato believed in a perfection that couldn't be humanly measured. Each of us has a personal philosophy. Someone once told me that he felt that philosophy was "bunk" to which I replied that that was his philosophy.

Answer 2

Originally, philosophy simply meant the pursuit of knowledge and how best to use it (wisdom).

The sciences and technologies - theoretical and practical fields of knowledge that are shaped by empirical evidence of the way the physical world behaves - branched off from 'philosophy', until all that was left was what's now called philosophy - knowledge and wisdom that cannot be shaped by the sorts of evidence that shape the sciences.

Not all of mathematics is 'successful' - if by successful you mean applicable in practice. Pure math is as speculative as pure philosophy.

And you are forgetting the applicability of philosophy. How is it applicable? By promoting clear thinking, by making those who study it aware of the variety of ways people can and do think, by making them aware of the long history of those different ways of thinking (and thus of what has already been thought of ) and by relentlessly investigating the foundations of all thought - yes, even the foundations of physics and math.

What do you think a 'successful' philosophy should be able to accomplish? Provide clear-cut and final answers to all its questions? - not even science does that; and if you think it does, you don't know much about the history of science.

For Aristotle it was a sign of intellectual maturity not to require more from a branch of philosophy (knowledge) than it was able to give.

You want philosophy to be quantifiable? Read up on Bentham's attempt to develop a 'felicific calculus'. Quantification just isn't suited to philosophy.

We use math to do three things: to count, to model structures, and to measure. The most promising of these for application to philosophy is the modelling of structures - e.g. look up Venn Diagrams with reference to logic. It should tell us a lot that math has resisted all attempts to reduce it to logic. The two are similar but ultimately they disengage.

Answer 3

why not give your "left brain" a bit of a vacation and try something entirely new. instead of all the "brain busyess" how about cultivating some quietness in your being through meditation and the "energy arts": chi kung, tai chi reiki, yoga, etc. this would create a bit of balance and make more room for intuition to come through. that could generate new insights in your field. my point is western philosophy is all about theory and argument, and pretty much the same is true with math and physics. the energy work is not mental or discursive, but wholly experiential. anyway, if interested, check out www.sahajayoga.com as a primer on "energy". and, the book *the complete idiot's guide to toltec wisdom* on mind function and the inestimable value of understanding its dangers if left wholly to its own devices.

Answer 4

As i think i understood it from something i read: Physics has had great advances thanks to the fact that they paid attention to their own limits, and worked with what it had. it Created models, etc., but the thing is, they created their own philosophy to advance, and now they are far from everything. According to modern physics, an elephant could fly, but, what does that mean in everyday life? Perhaps physics should collaborate with philosophers.

Answer 5

That is a good question. Math is pure logic and is uncontaminated by illogical arguements they are simply fase.

Not sure what you mean by successful. Politics and Law are practical application of ethics. Politics and Law are in wide spread use.

The biggest failure is logic. It's simply not used or taught. Global warming, social security and other debates are guided by illogical arguements.

Answer 6

Could you explain how physics and mathematics are greater than philosophy? I am not sure how you are making the judgement.

Are they better because they are more demonstrable, useful, true, popular?

Answer 7

Of course not. Democracy and capitalism and socialism and religion and many other things that effect us are also products of philosophy.

Answer 8

the are more popular because Ethics bores people. some people look at "philosophy" as up to personal viewpoint