Henry van Laer, Henry J. Koren
Science in General
Abstract
In the first place, I want to point out that the term ‘science’ is not restricted here to the physical sciences, as is usually done in English and French scientific literature, but is used in a very broad sense—namely, for science in general as well as each and any special science, no matter what its nature be, including theology and philosophy. If in particular chapters restrictions are made in the use of the term, this will always be justified and wherever possible indicated by the addition of a qualifying noun. Although the term ‘science’ is used in a very broad sense, a large number of the examples illustrating the text will be borrowed from the physical sciences. The reason is, first of all, that because of his former studies the author is most familiar with this domain, but also that the physical sciences often reveal most clearly the typical features of science.
About the Author
Henry van Laer was professor of philosophy at Duquesne University from 1956 to 1962. Henry J. Koren was born 1912 in the Netherlands. He attended the Gregorian University there till 1940, but World War II caused him to come to the United States in 1941, where he earned a doctorate in theology at the Catholic University of America in 1942. From 1941 until 1948 he taught at St. Mary’s College, Port of Spain, and then received an appointment to Duquesne University as a teacher of philosophy. He passed away in 2002.