Philosophy of Nature at the Catholic University of Lublin: Tradition and Perspectives

Abstract

The celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Section of Natural Philosophy and Environment Protection at this University has given an opportunity to write the present paper. It consists of two parts. In the first one some historical details are described, namely the data of founding and sequent organisational modifications made in that period of time and afterwards the names of the founders. In this part the theoretical framework of research project and sequently modified programmes for students have also been presented. Three levels of achievements are distinguished: metaphilosophical or metacosmological (various approaches to the philosophy of nature or to the so-called philosophical cosmology), metascientific (special issues in the philosophy of natural sciences), and philosophical including such problems of natural philosophy as causality, (in)determinism, laws of nature, etc. The second part comprises perspectives for the future. They are perceived in the general terms of contemporary controversies concerning legitimation crises in philosophy, including the philosophy of science. From this point of view such questions as: what for philosophy of nature and philosophy of science today? and more strongly: what for philosophy of nature and philosophy of science this very day? are analysed. The answers point at different kinds of reasons treated as the form of a justification source for these two fields of research.