The Relationship Between “Science” and “Philosophy” and Their Connection to “Progressive” and “Regressive” Thinking

۱- Our small, partial, and precise knowledges—that is, “science”—are enclosed within our large, general, and profound ignorances—that is, “philosophy.” In this sense, ۲- The task of “science” is the expansion of knowledge through the “deferral” and “reduction” in the domain of questions, as well as “investigation,” “comparison,” and “precision” in the domain of answers. And ۳- The task of philosophy is the expansion of ignorance through the “suspension” and “doubt” in the domain of answers, as well as “emphasis,” “deepening,” and “precision” in the domain of questions. It can be said: ۴- “Science” thinks progressively; “philosophy” thinks regressively. But ۵- “Regressive thinking” is by no means reactionary thinking (retrogression); rather, it is the highest form of thinking. In other words, ۶- In the world of thought, “regression” is true progression. ۷- “Regressive thinking” means returning to foundations and roots, and of course, re-examining and rethinking them; ۸- “Regressive thinking” means not hastening to answer and questioning the questions themselves; ۹- “Regressive thinking” means criticizing one’s own presuppositions and preconditions. In this sense, ۱۰- Thinking is always regressive thinking. Therefore, ۱۱- One who “only” thinks progressively does not think at all. But it should not be forgotten: ۱۲- Every level of regressive thinking, as a “re-examining return,” corresponds to a possible level of progressive thinking. And hence, ۱۳- The highest level of regressive thinking is realized in conjunction and in step with the highest level of progressive thinking. With these details, ۱۴- Although science does not think, philosophy too, without science and indifferent to science, can never think. In fact, ۱۵- A philosophy that is ignorant of science is very “raw” and “hollow”; very far from “regressive thinking” and very close to “reactionary thinking” and seriously exposed to it. Just as ۱۶- Science without philosophy, and without regard for philosophy, is not guaranteed to progress practically and truly, and its “progress” may always be a progress in appearance and a “regress” in truth. In fact, ۱۷- A science that lags behind philosophy, no matter how much it “progresses,” is “lethal” and “dangerous”; for it is like a runner who, though he runs very, very well and fast, is perhaps “so hastily” heading toward the “abyss.” Therefore, ۱۸- The more science gains “height,” the more philosophy will gain “depth.” In other words, ۱۹- The more the radius of human “knowledge” increases, the more the radius of his “ignorance” will also increase. In short, ۲۰- Philosophy without science is “empty,” and science without philosophy is “blind.”

Other parts of the “Vain Words” series, previously published on the “Sedanet Telegram channel,” can be seen and read at the following addresses!

A Reflection on “Creativity” and the Difference Between Divine Creativity and Human Creativity

A Reflection on Philosophizing and Its Relation to Human Errors and Passions

A Reflection on Mystery and Its Relation to “Love” and “Art”

A Reflection on the “Art of Solitude” and Its Relation to “Being” and “Non-Being”

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A Reflection on the Relationship Between “Science” and “Philosophy” and Their Connection to “Progressive” and “Regressive” Thinking

(Part of the “Vain Words” Series)

Author: Masoud Zanjani

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