Science vs Philosophy vs Art

Summary

The web content uses a metaphorical narrative to distinguish the approaches of science, philosophy, and art towards understanding reality.

Abstract

The narrative begins with an individual sitting peacefully in a serene natural setting, symbolizing reality. This tranquility is disrupted by scientists who approach reality with detachment, conducting experiments that are invasive and seemingly insensitive. Philosophers follow, engaging in introspective dialogue that overlooks the interactive aspect of reality. Finally, an artist, represented by a little girl, connects with reality through genuine communication and shared experience, highlighting the essence of art as a means of engaging with the world.

Opinions

Scientists: Portrayed as intrusive and clinical, they objectify reality by tying it down and subjecting it to impersonal tests, reflecting a view that science prioritizes empirical data over subjective experience.
Philosophers: Depicted as disconnected and self-absorbed, they engage in conversation amongst themselves without acknowledging reality's presence, suggesting that philosophy can become too abstract and detached from the tangible world.
Artists: Characterized as empathetic and communicative, they interact with reality on a personal level, implying that art is about connection, expression, and shared human experience.
Reality: Symbolized by the individual on the bench, it is passive yet rich with sensory and emotional depth, waiting to be understood and engaged with in different ways by science, philosophy, and art.

Let us use our imagination to understand them

Made in Canva by the author

Imagine yourself sitting alone in a bench somewhere hilly overlooking a horizon colored orangie by the evening sun. The sky above is cloudless and your surroundings are noiseless. Soft wind blowing and a variety of bird chirping, singing — doing whatever you like to call it. Imagine yourself sitting as such: tranquil: calm: drinking the sight of the sun, the sound of birds, the smell of plants, the feel of wind. Imagine!

Now imagine a couple of people in white coats coming up to you from below the hills in a weird looking monster with round black legs. They are tall, white and have got bags and cables and whatnot! They come near you, they speak not a word with you. Instead, one takes a rope out of his bag and ties your hands and feet to the bench. You are astonished! So much that you can neither speak a word nor make a noise. I mean, common: who comes up like that and behaves that way!

But the worst part has just begun: they take out all sorts of instruments from their bags and pierce-poke-press-pull you and do all sorts of crazy things to all parts of your body. One of them notes all your reactions on her computer. The other cuts off your right ear, places it inside a plastic bag, tapes the wound — you faint!

‘Such a lifeless being,’ they conclude. They then untie you and leave. All this while they don’t look at your eyes once!

Now, imagine those guys never came and in their place came two old men with white beards and dirty clothes. They have nothing fancy with them. No bags, no instruments, nothing! All they have is dirty slippers in their feet and that too about to tear.

These olduns come up to you, sit beside you and talk — with themselves. They too not once look you with passion or life in your eyes — nor anywhere else for that matter! But the good thing about them is that they don’t touch or smell or cut you. They occasionally stare at you — dead stare — and just talk — with themselves. And after a while: they leave!

Now imagine even those guys didn’t come.

Imagine a little girl appearing from below the hills. She immediately notices you, looks you in your eyes and smiles. She comes up to you and: TALKS! Says hello. You reply back. And both of you talk, sing for hours: enjoying the sight of the sun, the sound of birds, the smell of plants, the feel of wind!

I don’t think it needs to be said. Yet:

The first men are scientists

The second philosophers

The girl is an artist, and

You are reality!