Explaining the known by the unknown?

Question

I've heard this as part of a quote from some columnist but I'm pretty sure I've read it elsewhere.

Deos anyone know who else has written about explaining the known with the unknown (which seems to me like a basic procedure of science)

Answer 1

Hi Anthony,

"Explaining the known by the unknown" was originally a quote from Karl Popper. Popper says there is much at stake – namely the "rationalist tradition" inherited from the Greeks, i.e. whereby critical thought etc. aspires to unveil the real world, "explaining the known by the unknown." This tradition is liberating (from Authority) and fruitful. It has "added to the facts of our everyday world the invisible air, the antipodes, the circulation of the blood, the worlds of the telescope and microscope, of electricity, and of tracer atoms showing us in detail the movements of matter within living bodies." The opposing view, of course, is that science is itself a tyranny: the world of appearances is the real world, and it is scientific theories that are not what they appear to be; that they should displace concern with art and literature etc. is a disaster! Popper identifies this view with instrumentalism.

Interesting question. Hope this background info helps!

Answer 2

Quantum mechanics is tending to be closer and closer to the spiritual aspect of religion.
I feel all the books or thinkers can explain the unknown by the known

Answer 3

What I have heard is this:
Scientists try to explain the unknown by the known, while poets do exactly opposite!