In practice, there is often overlap between philosophical and scientific approaches to truth.
Focus on conceptual analysis vs. empirical investigation: Philosophical theories of truth tend to focus on conceptual analysis and logical arguments about the nature and definition of truth itself. Scientific approaches are more concerned with empirical methods for determining what is true about the world through observation and experimentation.
Level of abstraction:
Scope: Philosophy considers broad questions about the nature of truth across all domains. Science focuses on truths within specific fields and domains of study.
Methodology: Philosophy uses conceptual analysis, logical argumentation, and thought experiments. Science relies on empirical observation, controlled experiments, and statistical analysis.
Criteria for truth: Philosophy debates various criteria for truth (correspondence to reality, coherence, pragmatic utility, etc.) Science generally adopts empirical adequacy and predictive power as key criteria.
Treatment of unobservables: Philosophy debates whether claims about unobservable entities can be true. Science often makes truth claims about unobservables based on indirect evidence.
Certainty vs. probability: Some philosophical theories seek absolute, certain truths. Science generally deals in probabilities and degrees of confidence.
Normative vs. descriptive: Philosophy often makes normative claims about how we should conceive of truth. Science aims to describe what is actually true about the world.
In practice, there is often overlap between philosophical and scientific approaches to truth. Many philosophers of science attempt to bridge these perspectives. But in general, philosophy tends to focus more on the conceptual foundations, while science emphasizes empirical methods for determining specific truths about reality.
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