Can we say that science is a material or empirical philosophy that reduces metaphysics to epistemology?

Question

or that reduces, or, if you prefer another verb, " translates" the Q's in metaphysics into the Q's of epistemology?

This Q was triggered by the one and only A to a Q I asked about the concept of energy which is still open for A's(Answers).

I wish more people would venture a reasoned opinion based on the knowledge they have of science and philosophy. Contrary to those who think opinions can't compete with the facts, it is opinions that tie the facts together and is the first step to a theory(which is not a synonym for opinion).

Answer 1

Metaphysics typically involves transcending a particular science to a theory of reality. You could say that much of science is empirical, based on experience, but that does not mean that it deals with epistemology. In order for something to be knowledge, we must believe it and it must be true. Science, as a whole, is theoretical in terms of what goes on in the real world, not true knowledge thereof. Basically, science and philosophy are competing in two seperate realms. Science does not reduce metaphysics, though it does seek estimations of metaphysical processes, it does not get to the truth of being which would categorize it as epistemology.

Reality, as a whole, is greatly misperceived by the human race. We tend to assume that we see the world with infinite clarity, but we fail to admit that the scope of our vision is so incredibly narrow. Metaphysics seeks to describe the fundamental truth of the universe, while science attempts to empirically describe it as best as we can perceive it. We can't rank much of science as epistemology because science is so empirical that it opens itself to continued modification. Until science reaches all fundamental limits (upon which it stops being modified), we can't really say that it is truth (epistemology).

Answer 2

There are some areas of philosophy that I consider mental masturbation. This is one area.

Science is neither. Understanding the goals of both disciplines helps to clarify this issue. Science concerns itself with processes and theories of how things are. Philosophies concerns themselves with very different aspects of truth and knowledge include how one should conduct their lifes/thinking. Science doesn't perpetuate this approach or treatment.