Natural Science and Philosophy in Schopenhauer

Abstract

This paper challenges Marco Segala’s claim that Schopenhauer views natural science as "empty of philosophical content." Drawing on Schopenhauer’s The World as Will and Representation, the study argues that natural science contains philosophical elements, particularly through its alignment with materialism. Segala posits that natural science, confined to empirical methods and sensory observation, cannot address metaphysical questions, while philosophy engages with "the thing in itself" (e.g., will). However, Schopenhauer identifies natural science as inherently linked to materialism, a philosophical perspective focusing on material phenomena and causality. For instance, scientific inquiry into physical objects and their interactions mirrors materialism’s quest for fundamental matter, demonstrating how science embodies philosophical reasoning. The paper further contends that Segala overlooks Schopenhauer’s emphasis on judgment-a cognitive faculty transforming sensory data into abstract knowledge-as central to both science and philosophy. Examples like Planck and Einstein’s conceptualization of photons illustrate science’s reliance on philosophical reflection. While Segala distinguishes science from metaphysics, Schopenhauer’s notion of "cleverness" highlights shared abstract reasoning between the two. Scientific findings, such as Libet’s experiments on free will, even contribute to metaphysical discourse by illuminating concepts like will. In conclusion, Schopenhauer’s framework does not strictly separate natural science from philosophy. Instead, science incorporates philosophical content through materialist foundations and shared cognitive processes, challenging Segala’s dichotomy.