Philosophy of Science

Dr. Lavelle and Dr. Chirimuuta

Mid-term Essay:

Explain and then critically evaluate

Thomas Hobbes’ objections to ‘New

Experimentalism’.

Aimi Sorfina Mohd Salehuddin

B246163

[1481 words]
By deviating from established ideologies such as Aristotelian epistemology, New

Experimentalism opens up a new route of scientific research. One of its distinguishing qualities

is the emphasis on controlled experiments, a methodology that serves as a foundation for the

acquisition of knowledge, particularly in the field of science. Hence, this essay aims to provide

a thorough evaluation of Thomas Hobbes' objections to the New Experimentalism. To

accomplish this, we will first give a thorough examination of both sides of the debate.

Following that, we will conduct a broad analysis of Hobbes' criticisms, taking into account

their historical context and applicability through the perspective of contemporary

epistemology. This method seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of Hobbes'

criticisms and their ongoing relevance within the context of modern knowledge acquisition.

As a philosophical movement, New Experimentalism has a complex history that spans

centuries, with its most apparent effect arising during the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly

during the Enlightenment period 1. Several notable philosophers such as John Locke, David

Hume, and Francis Bacon, played crucial roles in the New Experimentalism throughout this

period. This conceptual revolution ushered in new ideas on knowledge generation, notably

among scientists. Aristotelian epistemology was founded on deduction and reasoning

principles, emphasizing the use of logical cognitive processes to comprehend the natural world.
2 This paradigm shift provides a method for replication and repetition, both essential in the

rigorous and systematic production of scientific knowledge. The process of intervening in

1 Hesiod (2018) Aristotle’s Epistemological Legacy: “Science” vs. “Faith”.

https://hesiodscorner.wordpress.com/2017/08/09/aristotles-epistemological-legacy-science-vs-

faith/.
2 Stroll, A. and Martinich, A.P. (1998) Epistemology | Definition, History, Types, Examples, Philosophers,

& Facts. https://www.britannica.com/topic/epistemology.

nature by systematic experiments, as shown by the ideas of Francis Bacon, is a key and

transforming part of comprehending the complexity of the world around us. Bacon's renowned

claim emphasizes the vital significance of active engagement in understanding the world's

enigmas. This viewpoint is consistent with the New Experimentalism ideology, which

promotes the idea that knowledge is actively pursued and generated through deliberate

experimentation rather than passive observation.

New Experimentalism challenges Aristotelian epistemology, particularly through the

introduction of a dynamic and interactive method of knowledge acquisition. Rather than simply

viewing the natural world passively, supporters of the New Experimentalism advocated

actively influencing the environment to produce observations. This method is analogous to an

"act of active interrogation" in the search for knowledge. The act of "twisting the lion's tail,"

as it were, was viewed as unnatural and raised a significant philosophical question: Would the

occurrences witnessed through such manipulations have occurred in the absence of such

interventions i.e. the natural world?

So, why did Thomas Hobbes reject this revolutionary idea? Hobbes was more than just a

grumpy old man, rejecting the new and ‘updated’ way of thinking and perceiving science. He

was a renowned philosopher born in the 17th century and had many contributions to society,

particularly in political philosophy, in which he explored the social contract theory. 3 He held a

more materialistic and deterministic view of the world, which he expressed greatly in his

3 Sorell, T. (2023) Thomas Hobbes | Biography, Philosophy, Beliefs, Leviathan, Legacy, & Facts.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Hobbes.
works4, which I believe was the basis of his objections towards New Experimentalism. He

believed that knowledge could be gained by the senses, also known as materialism 5, but he was

strongly critical of scepticism and doubt, which he saw as potentially dangerous to social and

political stability.

The premise central to Hobbes' critique is that simply making scientific discoveries public does

not guarantee integrity. When Robert Boyle conducted a public experiment to showcase the

first successful man-made vacuum, he emphasised that publicity guarantees objectiveness.

Boyle thought that if a group of people also saw what he saw, then he could confidently confirm

the outcomes of the experiment. However, this is rebutted by Hobbes who claims Boyle's

definition of ‘public’, which includes a group of people who share similar values and

perspectives, is problematic. Hobbes contends that the scientific community's concentration on

like-mindedness, increases the possibility of confirmation bias, a psychological phenomenon

in which people prefer information that supports their pre-existing opinions, which can be

extremely damaging to knowledge acquisition.6 When scientists unintentionally, but

unavoidably, drift towards conclusions that confirm their pre-existing beliefs, the core concepts

of impartial, objective scientific inquiry are undermined. Hobbes' concerns, in essence, bring

Boyle's methods into doubt and highlight the necessity for more rigorous approaches to

establishing genuine scientific objectivity.

4 Thomas Hobbes (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) (2021). https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hobbes/.

5 ibid
6 Casad, B.J. and Luebering, J.E. (2023) Confirmation bias | Definition, Examples, Psychology, & Facts.

https://www.britannica.com/science/confirmation-bias.
On the other hand, publicly displayed experiments have the possibility that the spectators will

lack sufficient comprehension to grasp the complexities of the experiment. As a result, the

observations produced by such persons may be fundamentally inaccurate as they lack the

information and educational background essential for a thorough comprehension of the

scientific processes at work. When opportunities for learning were limited and not available

to all, this limitation made public experimentation unfeasible. However, as we turn our

attention to the twenty-first century, we notice a tremendous shift in the accessibility and

inclusivity of education. The twenty-first century has seen enormous progress in making

education more broadly available and accessible, ensuring that a larger segment of the

population is equipped with the requisite information and critical thinking skills. In today's

world, the case for conducting experiments in public becomes increasingly compelling, as a

more educated and aware populace is better suited to grasp and engage with scientific

endeavours, increasing the overall feasibility of public experimentation.

Furthermore, Hobbes had doubts about New Experimentalists' dependence on controlled

experimental settings. He stated that constructing knowledge based on inherently ‘fake’

situations does not garner ‘real’ knowledge. Hobbes believed that, while these manipulated and

controlled experiments provided valuable insights, they may fall short of accurately depicting

the spontaneity of the natural world. These tests may provide intentionally limited results and

may not adequately reflect the spontaneous and unaffected events occurring in reality. Hobbes'

scepticism raised fundamental questions about the authenticity and applicability of knowledge

gained through such experiments, contributing to a broader debate within scientific and

philosophical communities about the appropriate balance between controlled experimentation

and the natural world. How a scientist interpreted the outcomes may also be a problem as

Hobbes argued that sensory perceptions were essentially subjective and prone to
misinterpretation and personal prejudice. Because sensory experiences are subjective, they are

also vulnerable to confirmation bias. Subjectivity and heterogeneity in sensory experiences

require caution when interpreting and implementing empirical findings, hence pulling up

Hobbes’ objections to New Experimentalism.

However, Hobbes' arguments for New Experimentalism fail to account for our natural senses'

limits in the process of observation. It is critical to recognize that our senses are not perfect;

they are limited by their inherent limitations. For example, without technologies and devices,

our unaided senses cannot discern the smallest of cells under a microscope, nor can they stare

into the farthest regions of the cosmos with a telescope. This highlights an important feature of

scientific progress: we would not have made remarkable discoveries without the instruments

and technologies created via the advancement of empirical methodology. Solely relying on our

unaided senses would have hindered our ability to uncover unknowns. Recent discoveries, such

as the discovery of ultra-massive black holes or the formation of paradigm-shifting scientific

theories such as Einstein's Theory of Relativity, would have gone unnoticed or untested without

New Experimentalism. It is critical to recognize that human senses are fundamentally unable

to sense extremes or occurrences that are beyond our natural range.

The vital function of technology becomes clear in this scenario. Instrument and equipment

advancements have broadened our perceptive capacities, allowing us to explore unexplored

possibilities. These technological assistance enables us to create more precise hypotheses,

predictions, and observations that would otherwise be beyond our unaided senses. Thus,

incorporating technology into the empirical process opens up opportunities for amazing

discoveries and a better comprehension of the world around us. It emphasizes the dynamic of

empirical observation, in which human creativity and innovation constantly push the limits of

what we can perceive and comprehend. As a result, embracing these instruments is critical for

the advancement of research and our quest for knowledge.

In conclusion, both ways of thinking have been pivotal in the establishment of facts. The

philosophical and scientific conflicts of Thomas Hobbes' day are reflected in his objections

against New Experimentalism. While his concerns about the limitations of sensory experience

and the role of publicity are valid, they must be weighed against modern scientific

methodology. The New Experimentalism influenced the development of the scientific method

and empirical inquiry, both of which are still fundamental in contemporary science and

philosophy. Hobbes' criticisms, while perceptive, should be viewed as part of a continuing

conversation about the nature of knowledge and the means we use to gain it, rather than as a

blanket rejection of empirical inquiry and scepticism.

[1481 words]
References

Casad, B. J., & Luebering, J. (2023, August 18). Confirmation bias | Definition, Examples,

Psychology, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/science/confirmation-bias

Hesiod. (2018, March 16). Aristotle’s Epistemological Legacy: “Science” vs. “Faith.”

Hesiod’s Corner. https://hesiodscorner.wordpress.com/2017/08/09/aristotles-

epistemological-legacy-science-vs-faith/

Sorell, T. (2023, August 29). Thomas Hobbes | Biography, Philosophy, Beliefs, Leviathan,

Legacy, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Hobbes

Stroll, A., & Martinich, A. (1998, July 20). Epistemology | Definition, History, Types,

Examples, Philosophers, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/epistemology

Thomas Hobbes (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). (2021, February 12).

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hobbes/