Veritas Filia Temporis: The origins of the idea of scientific progress

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F49777513%3A23330%2F16%3A43929514" target="_blank" >RIV/49777513:23330/16:43929514 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00033790.2016.1178804" target="_blank" >http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00033790.2016.1178804</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00033790.2016.1178804" target="_blank" >10.1080/00033790.2016.1178804</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Veritas Filia Temporis: The origins of the idea of scientific progress

Original language description

The article provides insight into the epistemological and anthropological aspect of the origination of the idea of scientific progress. It focuses on the relationship between individual's limited lifetime and the immensity of nature. The basic assumption is that the idea of scientific progress offers a solution of the epistemological problem stemming from the finding that there is no (teleological) coincidence between human cognitive abilities and the extent of nature. In order to facilitate the understanding of the origin of the idea of scientific progress, I propose distinction between the descriptive and prescriptive concepts of progress. While the descriptive notion of progress expresses the cumulative character of scientific knowledge and the superiority of the present over preceding generations, the prescriptive concept pertains to progressivist epistemology directing scientific research at the future development of knowledge. This article claims that the prevalent concept in Antiquity was the descriptive concept of scientific progress. The prescriptive notion had developed only in ancient astronomy. Early modern science was faced with similar issues as ancient astronomy - mainly the empirical finding related to the inexhaustible character of nature. Consequently to the introduction of the idea of progress, the progress of sciences became a purpose in itself - hence becoming infinite.

Czech name

—

Czech description

—

Type

J_x - Unclassified - Peer-reviewed scientific article (Jimp, Jsc and Jost)

CEP classification

AA - Philosophy and religion

OECD FORD branch

—

Project

<a href="/en/project/GAP401%2F12%2F0129" target="_blank" >GAP401/12/0129: Veritas filia temporis: The Genesis of the Idea of Theoretical Progress</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2016

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Annals of Science

ISSN

0003-3790

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

73

Issue of the periodical within the volume

4

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

17

Pages from-to

375-391

UT code for WoS article

000386002900003

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-84974691622