[betty boop]

Without a whole gaggle of philosophical assumptions about the universe, the scientist cannot make a statement more comprehensive than "I think this just happened."

Great observation, DreamsofPolycarp! Oh, so true....

The very first philosophical assumption a scientist makes is the the universe is intelligible, and therefore is completely, exhaustively knowable by man. Another is the assumption of the universal validity of physical laws. A third very common philosophical assumption is that the universe is made of "building blocks" called matter, and nothing else (i.e., the philosophical doctrine of materialism).

Not one of these assumptions is based on direct observation and experiment.

Scientists "do philosophy" every day, just to do their jobs! They just seem not to realize it....

[Alamo-Girl]

The very first philosophical assumption a scientist makes is the the universe is intelligible, and therefore is completely, exhaustively knowable by man. Another is the assumption of the universal validity of physical laws. A third very common philosophical assumption is that the universe is made of "building blocks" called matter, and nothing else (i.e., the philosophical doctrine of materialism).

Not one of these assumptions is based on direct observation and experiment.

Scientists "do philosophy" every day, just to do their jobs! They just seem not to realize it....

Excellent. Deserved repeating.