Online Encyclopedia
Natural philosophy
Natural philosophy is a term applied to the objective study of nature and the physical universe before the development of modern science.
In other words, all forms of science historically developed out of philosophy or more specifically natural philosophy. According to historians of science, basic science really did not become a true form of science until the second half of the 19th century.
At older universities, long-established Chairs of Natural Philosophy are nowadays occupied mainly by professors of physics.
Last updated: 10-24-2004 05:10:45