Rational Logic And Scientific Method

In the philosophy period of ancient Greece and Rome, from Burnet, Plato, to Aristotle, what philosophy was paid attention to is the beginning basic question that everything "produces from it, replies and belongs to it again". Among taking natural philosophy as leading factor philosophy, the basic problem was shown as one and more, general and specific problem, and other problems were subordinated to it. The discussion about this question still continued in Middle Ages, but there was no result. Later the philosophers found that pursueing to "the beginning base" question was based on epistemology, the western modern philosophy started by French philosopher Descartes in the 17th century was guided into epistemology. Descartes objected to the religion creed and scholaticism philosophy, advocated mankind's rational liberation, set up an all-embracing huge system of philosophy. He compared his own philosophy to be a big tree, the root is the metaphysics, the trunk is physics, the branch from the trunk is other science. Therefore, Descartes thought that only philosophy was set up, could offer reliable foundation and guideline for concrete science.There were historical background and theory source for Descartes to form his distinctive philosophy thought. In France, in the 17th century, the feudal relations of production tended towards disintegrating and the capitalism developed to a certain degree, thus the progress of modern natural science was accelerated greatly. And this had a deep impat on philosophy of that time, but the religion theology was still in the dominant position in the thought field. Descartes as the representive of the thought in the era, his philosophy reflected the capitalist class against feudalism and the theology, demanded to develop science enterprising spirit, and reflected the inclination of compromising with feudal nobles and the Rome Catholic Church. From the theory source, the rational thought and self-consciouness in ancient Greek philosophy gave the primitive inspiration of Descartes' philosophy. The rational continuation of spirit ferment in Middle Ages and the effective impact of the humanism in Renaissance provided the abundant thought source for Descartes' philosophy. The main content of Descartes' philosophy thought is shown as : philosophy methodology of entity; rationalism epistemology; physical and psychological dualism; physics about the natural theory. Descartes philosophy thought is extremely abundant. Over several hundred years, the western scholars judged it positively or negatively, it reflected the characteristic of plural development of Descartes' philosophy. First of all, it has influenced and fostered the whole modern European philosophy. Secondly, it has established the principle of entity and given modern philosophy helpful inspiration. Thirdly, the general suspect thought still has realistic meanings in contemporary times. Fourthly, the rational spirit causes the great concern of the western philosophy circle, its contemporary value can't be ignored. Finally, Descartes' philosophy promoted the construction of western modern scientific theory. It has undoubted important inspirating function for us to understand the development of modern times and even contemporary times to probe into the continual echo in western thought circle left by Descartes, to re-estimate the value of his philosophy thought, to analyse introspection and sublation that western philosophy carried on to Descartes as times changed. Because Descartes' philosophy was constructed under a certain era terms, it showed the vitality of thought sprouted in the new era, but kept the branding of the traditional idea deeply. We must put Descartes and his philosophy thought among the long river of dialectical development to investigate, analyse and appraise the Descartes' philosophy thought impartialy with Marxist criticism spirit.