问答题
Empirical and experimental philosophy has no quarrel
with science, either in itself or in its application to education. On the
contrary, scientific conclusions and methods are the chief ally of an empirical
philosophy of education. For according to empirical philosophy, science
provides the only means we have for learning about man and the world in which he
lives. Some have thought that this fact makes philosophy unnecessary. They have
supposed that the admission that science is supreme in the field of knowledge
covers the whole ground of human experience. 46. {{U}}The elimination does rule
out one kind of philosophy, namely, that which held that philosophy is a higher
form of knowledge than the scientific kind, one which furnishes knowledge of
ultimate higher reality.{{/U}} But it does not follow from the elimination
of this particular type of philosophy that philosophy itself must be
so. It would tallow if man were simply and only a knowing
being. He is also an acting being, a creature with desires, hopes, fears,
purposes and habits. To the average person knowledge itself is of importance
because of its bearing upon what he needs to do. It helps him in clarifying his
wants, in constructing his ends and in finding means for realizing them. 47.
{{U}}There exist, in other words, values as well as known facts and principles,
and philosophy is concerned primarily with values—with the ends for the sake of
which man acts.{{/U}} 48. {{U}}Given the most extensive and
accurate system Of knowledge, man is still faced with the question of what he is
going to do about it and what he is going to do with the knowledge in his
possession{{/U}}. 49. {{U}}In this matter of the connection of what
is known with values, science is an ally of an empirical philosophy
against absolute philosophies which pretend that fixed and eternal truths are
known by means of organs and methods that are independent of
science.{{/U}} The objection to this position is not merely
theoretical. The practical objections to it are that it strengthens appeal to
authority and promotes Controversies, which can't be settled by the use of the
methods of inquiry and proof that have been worked out in the sciences. There is
no great danger that the present-day revival in some quarters of [Greek and
medieval philosophies] will make much headway as a theoretical
philosophy. 50. There is always danger that such philosophies will
have practical {{U}}influence in reinforcing established social authority that is
exercised on behalf of the maintenance of the existing social situation.{{/U}}
Against this danger, an experimental philosophy stands in firm alliance with the
methods by which the natural sciences arrive at warranted truths.