History of the inductive sciences, from the earliest to the present timeWhewell, William
History
History of the inductive sciences, from the earliest to the present time
Whewell, William
Science -- History
To these questions I answer, by distinguishing between Art, and
Science in that sense of general Inductive Systematic Truth, which
it bears in this work. To separate and compare, with precision,
these two processes, belongs to the Philosophy of Induction; and the
attempt must be reserved for another place: but the leading
differences are sufficiently obvious. Art is practical, Science is
speculative: the former is seen in doing; the latter rests in the
contemplation of what is known. The Art of the builder appears in
his edifice, though he may never have meditated on the abstract
propositions on which its stability and strength depends. The
Science of the mathematical mechanician consists in his seeing that,
under certain conditions, bodies must sustain each other's pressure,
though he may never have applied his knowledge in a single case.
Now the remark which I have to make is this:--in all cases the Arts
are prior to the related Sciences. Art is the parent, not the
progeny, of Science; the realization of principles in practice forms
part of the prelude, as well as of the sequel, of theoretical
discovery. And thus the inventions of the middle ages, which have
been above enumerated, though at the present day they may be
portions of our sciences, are no evidence that the sciences then
existed; but only that {241} those powers of practical observation
and practical skill were at work, which prepare the way for
theoretical views and scientific discoveries.
It may be urged, that the great works of art do virtually take for
granted principles of science; and that, therefore, it is unreasonable
to deny science to great artists. It may be said, that the grand
structures of Cologne, or Amiens, or Canterbury, could not have been
erected without a profound knowledge of mechanical principles.
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