Reuniting natural philosophy and scientific research

Abstract

Scientific research, at its best, involves innovation. My experience over the years is that not all innovations are greeted with the same enthusiasm. Mine have variously garnered initial outrage, widespread adoption, marginal interest, and indifference. This experience reminds me that science is a human endeavour and perhaps not as objective as we might have thought. This article is an attempt to show just how wonderfully human and artistically creative scientific innovation really is. Also, I hope it shows how an appreciation of the artful part of science can affect and enhance the way we do and express our work. The subject of philosophy once included natural philosophy which was the study of why nature works the way it does. Natural philosophy has morphed, over the years, into scientific research, now quite divorced from the liberal arts subject of philosophy. I recommend reconciliation.