Before the modern times science was dominated by
Thomistic world view
Platonic world
Aristotlean world view
Milesian world view
Before the modern times, science was dominated by the Aristotelian world view. Aristotle's ideas and philosophy heavily influenced scientific thinking during the medieval period and even until the Renaissance. His emphasis on observation, classification, and logic formed the basis of scientific methodology at that time.
However, it is worth noting that there were other influential world views as well. For example, the Milesian world view, which originated from the Ionian city of Miletus, focused on naturalistic explanations for the phenomena in the world. This early Greek philosophy, represented by thinkers like Thales and Anaximander, laid the foundation for understanding the world through natural laws rather than supernatural explanations.
The Thomistic world view, named after Thomas Aquinas, was dominant during the Middle Ages and attempted to reconcile Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology. It emphasized the role of reason and philosophical inquiry in understanding the natural world while also incorporating religious teachings.
The Platonic world view, based on the teachings of Plato, was influential in ancient Greece and later revived during the Renaissance. It emphasized the existence of a higher reality beyond the physical world and believed in the existence of universal forms or ideas that govern reality.
While the Aristotelian world view dominated scientific thinking before the modern era, it is important to recognize the contributions and influence of other philosophical perspectives on the development of science.
Before the modern times, science was dominated by different worldviews, including the Thomistic, Platonic, Aristotelian, and Milesian worldviews. Here is a brief explanation of each:
1. Thomistic Worldview: The Thomistic worldview is based on the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas, a medieval theologian and philosopher. It incorporates Aristotelian philosophy and Christian theology, emphasizing the compatibility between reason and faith. In this worldview, the natural world is seen as ordered and purposeful, with God as its ultimate cause and sustainer.
2. Platonic Worldview: The Platonic worldview is derived from the teachings of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. It suggests that the ultimate nature of reality lies in abstract, eternal, and ideal forms rather than the physical world. Plato believed that the physical realm is merely a flawed reflection or imitation of the perfect forms.
3. Aristotelian Worldview: The Aristotelian worldview is based on the philosophy of Aristotle, another ancient Greek philosopher. Aristotle emphasized the study of empirical evidence and observation to understand the natural world. He believed that knowledge is acquired through sensory perception and logical reasoning, and that the natural world operates based on final causes and teleology.
4. Milesian Worldview: The Milesian worldview refers to the philosophy of the ancient Greek philosophers Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes, who came from the city of Miletus. They sought to explain the nature of the world by positing that everything is ultimately made up of a single primary substance or element. Thales believed that this primary substance was water, Anaximander proposed it to be an indefinite substance, and Anaximenes suggested it to be air.
These different worldviews had significant influences on scientific thought and understanding in their respective time periods, contributing to the development of various scientific theories and approaches. However, it is important to note that the dominance of these worldviews varied across different regions and time periods, and they have been subject to reassessment and revision as scientific knowledge progressed.