Science deified: Wilhelm Ostwald's energeticist world-view and the history of scientism

The life and work of the German chemist and philosopher Wilhelm Ostwald (1853–1932) is studied from the angle of scientism. In Ostwald's case scientism amounted to: (i) the construction of a unified science of nature (energetics); (ii) its use as the ‘scientific’ basis for an all-embracing philosophy or world-view (energeticism); (iii) the programme to realize this philosophy in practice, as a secular religion to replace Christianity. Energetics, a generalized thermodynamics, was proposed by Ostwald and others to replace mechanics as the fundamental theory in physical science. Its contents and fortunes are briefly discussed. Ostwald's energeticist philosophy is illustrated by his classification of the pure sciences, his theory of happiness and his science-based ethics. Ostwald cherished a metaphysics in which energy and energy transformations were fundamental to all phenomena and processes. As a result, he transferred his optimism about science and technology to energeticism: philosophical, psychological and ethical questions were regarded as capable of solution by his scientistic philosophy. The practice of Ostwald's energeticism is illustrated by two of his ‘Sunday sermons’ (on prayer and on Christmas), as well as by a public lecture on science. He considered science the modern and legitimate substitute for God and claimed that science was, or would soon be, omnipresent, eternal, almighty, omniscient and perfectly good. Ostwald's substitute religion of science suggests the question, discussed in the last section of this paper, to what extent and in what sense historians might fruitfully interpret scientism as a secular religion

De ontbrekende syntheses in de geschiedschrijving van de natuurwetenschappen

Wantin

Christian Wolff tussen cartesianen en newtonianen

Christian Wolff between Cartesians and Newtonians In the traditional view on the period 1700-1750 a sharp distinction is drawn between two antagonistic scientific schools, Cartesianism and Newtonianism. The scientific work of Christian Wolff (1679-1754), which was recently called Cartesian, serves as an example to show the limitations and false suggestions of such a polar view. Wolffs attitude in the discussions on Descartes' vortices and Newton's gravitation, as well as on Newton's new theory of light and colours, is analysed. In addition, his ideas on the method and structure of science are discussed. Wolffs scientific position turns out to be neither Cartesian, nor Newtonian. The introduction of an additional 'ism' (neo-Cartesianism or Leibnizianism) is found to be premature

Wetenschapshistorische etiketten en de gevaren van populaire analyses

Labels in the history of science and the dangers of polar analyses This special issue, Kanttekeningen bij erkende etiketten. Natuurwetenschap en geneeskunde in de 17e en 18e eeuw (Comments on accredited labels Science and medicine in the 17th and 18th century), deals with the problem of using labels in the history of science and medicine. In particular, the contributions relate to labels concerning scientific schools and traditions, and to the dangers of 'polar analyses'. In a strictly polar analysis it is assumed, (1) that two and no more than two schools or traditions do matter, (2) that the parties are involved in debates and conflicts, or, at least, have opposite opinions, and (3) that every scientist in the period concerned belongs to one of the two groups. Though a polar analysis can appropriately describe an actual historical debate, it can easily cross its original boundaries. This 'polar imperialism' is operative in different dimensions, e.g. time, space, content and context. This issue presents case-studies illustrating the use and misuse of polar analyses

Inleiding: laboratoria als werkplaatsen van wetenschap en techniek

Introduction: laboratories as technological and scientific workshops This collection of articles on Dutch laboratories during the period 1860-1940 aims to describe the growing number and diversity of laboratories, as well as the changing character of the work done there. It covers a wide range of laboratories, with emphasis on those in industry and at universities. Disciplines represented include chemistry, medicine, biology and physics. In the introduction an outline is given of the concept of laboratory since Francis Bacon, and, from this perspective, the articles in the volume are reviewe