The quote suggests that science provides us with facts and empirical knowledge about the world around us, but it does not necessarily impart a deeper understanding or moral guidance on how to live our lives. Philosophy, on the other hand, delves into questions of ethics, morality, and human values, offering insights beyond what can be gleaned from scientific study alone.
To delve further into this statement's implications, we must consider the distinction between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is about accumulating facts, figures, and data through observation and experimentation. It equips us with a detailed understanding of specific subjects or phenomena. Wisdom, however, involves using that knowledge to make informed decisions and understand the broader context in which these facts exist. Philosophy helps bridge this gap by exploring fundamental questions about existence, truth, morality, aesthetics, and more. Through philosophical inquiry, individuals can gain perspective on how to apply scientific discoveries ethically and meaningfully within society.
Will Durant was an American historian and philosopher who lived from 1885 to 1981. He is best known for his work "The Story of Civilization," a multivolume series that won him the Pulitzer Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His writings often emphasized the importance of integrating historical knowledge with philosophical reflection to understand human progress and societal development more comprehensively.
