Question

Discuss the following statement in groups of two pairs, each pair in a group taking opposite points of view.

The methods of inquiry of history, science, and philosophy are similar.

Answer 1

In favour of the motion

Against the motion

The methods of inquiry of History, Science, and Philosophy are similar. In the story The Adventure one can find the perspectives of History, Philosophy, and Science converging towards a focal point. History employs the methods of observation, analysis, and rationalism in understanding the course of past events. Science is based on observation, experimentation, and analysis. Rationalism is the most fundamental principle that Science follows. Philosophy is thoroughly critical in methodology. Philosophy examines everything including the assumptions and methodology of science and other disciplines like History. In the story, The Adventure History, Science, and Philosophy converge. Prof. Gaitonde experienced an altogether different version of the outcome of the Battle of Panipat. Contrary to the version as provided in History textbooks, the Marathas emerged as victorious in this battle. Prof. Gaitonde tried to understand this rationally but he failed to get any clue. In this context, Rajendra intervened to explain this phenomenon in the light of the Catastrophic theory which is being employed by Physicists in understanding the behaviour of atoms. Here we find Science and History converging. A similar perspective is seen in Philosophy that truth is relative and not absolute. In fact, the philosophical movement of post Modernism is based on this. In other words, the methods of inquiry of History, Science, and Philosophy are similar.

It is a misnomer that the methods of inquiry of History, Science, and Philosophy are similar. The similarity is at a superficial level and not at the core. In the story, The Adventure Rajendra tried to rationalise the experience of Prof Gaitonde by applying the Catastrophic theory. But this explanation is not convincing though it convinced the professor. Catastrophic theory can best explain the phenomenon of the physical world but History deals with the behavioural world. It is concerned with the behaviour of society and individuals. The methods of inquiry will also vary accordingly. The method of inquiry of Philosophy is speculative. Philosophy even questions rationalism. Philosophy is highly critical of the methods of Science and History. In other words, the methods of History, Science, and Philosophy are not similar. The story The Adventure by Jayant Vishnu Narlikar is, in fact, a science fiction that is trying to show the convergence of Science History and Philosophy. In reality, the three disciplines, namely, Science, History, and Philosophy have to employ different methodologies of inquiry vis-a-vis the subject matter.