A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy

Abstract

Astronomer and philosopher J. F. W. Herschel's A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy, originally published in 1830, can be regarded as the first modern work on the philosophy of science. In this book, Herschel carefully sets out what he regards as the principles and methods of scientific investigation, both at a theoretical level and at the level of experiment or observation. He describes nature as being governed by laws which are difficult to discern by mere observation and so deduces that theoretical science requires analogical reasoning. In the Discourses, written as the first in a series called Cabinet Cyclopaedia, he covers a wide range of methodological, scientific and philosophical subjects that include discussions of contemporary astronomy, atomism and chemistry. His writing on light is heavily influenced by Newton. Herschel also ponders the differences between human beings and animals and the relationship between religious faith and scientific enquiry.

Inductivism in Practice: Experiment in John Herschel’s Philosophy of Science

“…The subjects of magnetism and electricity, "which had long maintained a distinct existence, and been studied as separate branches of science," Herschel writes, "are at length effectually blended. This is, perhaps, the most satisfactory result which the experimental sciences have ever yet attained " (Herschel 1830(Herschel /1966emphasis added). Thus, Herschel's work within this domain may provide some indication of his understanding of the normative epistemic features of experimental inquiry.…”

“…Between 1830 and 1843, John F. W. Herschel (1830Herschel ( /1966, William Whewell (1837/1857, 1840/1847), and John Stuart Mill (1963 each published influential accounts of the history and philosophy of the sciences. 1 Arguably, all of these works belong to a common inductivist tradition, although anyone familiar with the contentious debates between Whewell and Mill must acknowledge that this was not a monolithic tradition.…”

The Darwinian tension

“…The empirical laws introduced by Humboldt (see Section 3.1 above) are not to be confused with the causal laws envisioned, first and foremost, by Herschel (1830Herschel ( , 1857. Both Humboldt and Herschel were aware of this distinction.…”

André-Michel Guerry'sOrdonnateur Statistique: The First Statistical Calculator?

“…The inset quotation from J. W. Herschel (1831) in the box at the upper right sums up Guerry's anticipation of the utility of this method: "Causes will very frequently become obvious by a mere arrangement of our facts in the order of intensity . .…”