Science and the Modern World - Classic Text | Alexandria
Science and the Modern World, a seminal work by Alfred North Whitehead, is an inquiry into the intertwined destinies of scientific advancement and societal values. Published in 1925, the book examines not only the impact of science on the modern worldview but also questions its underlying philosophical assumptions, challenging readers to reconsider the supposed objectivity of scientific thought. It's not merely a history of science; it's a philosophical diagnosis of Western civilization wrestling with the consequences of its own intellectual triumphs.
The genesis of these ideas can be traced back to Whitehead's earlier work in mathematics and physics, particularly his collaboration with Bertrand Russell on Principia Mathematica (1910-1913). However, the seeds of Science and the Modern World truly sprouted from Whitehead's growing unease with the reductionist, mechanistic worldview that dominated early 20th-century scientific thought. This unease was contemporaneous with the rise of quantum mechanics and relativity, unsettling scientific certainties.
Over the decades, Science and the Modern World has been both celebrated and criticized for its bold claims. Its chapter on Romantic reaction highlights a tension between scientific materialism and the human yearning for beauty and meaning. Influential thinkers in theology, philosophy, and environmental studies have drawn upon Whitehead's process philosophy.
While Whitehead's insights into the dangers of misplaced concreteness—mistaking abstract scientific concepts for concrete reality—continue to resonate, questions remain. To what extent has modern science truly transcended the limitations Whitehead identified? Has science fostered a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of reality, or has it only reinforced a fragmented, utilitarian view of the world? These questions invite us to revisit Whitehead's work, not as a historical artifact, but as a living provocation for our time.