Kochiras (2014)
Kochiras, Hylarie. (2014) Locke's Philosophy of Science. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke-philosophy-science/.
Title | Locke's Philosophy of Science |
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Resource Type | book |
Author(s) | Hylarie Kochiras |
Year | 2014 |
Publisher | Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy |
ISBN | N/A |
URL | https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke-philosophy-science/ |
Abstract
Locke's philosophy of science consists largely in his metaphysical and epistemological views of material substances and their powers. Locke has been widely hailed for providing an epistemological foundation for the experimental science of his day, and his thought is closely aligned with that of its practitioners, elaborating certain themes present in sparer form in Boyle and Newton. But if his epistemology helps to usher in the age of science, he still belongs to the age of natural philosophy. And if he is a devotee of the new science, he often appears an uncertain one, recognizing profound difficulties in it. In consequence, Locke's work is characterized by tensions and nuances, providing a rich source for scholarly research and debate.