Excursus 107 – Continuity, Rupture, and Conflict in the History of Ideas

Hossein Jorjani First publication: 2026 – 07 – 07 Readers familiar with both the history of philosophy and the history of science often notice a striking difference in the way these disciplines are commonly presented. Histories of philosophy frequently appear as continuous conversations extending across centuries. Plato proposes an idea; Aristotle develops or criticizes it;Continue reading “Excursus 107 – Continuity, Rupture, and Conflict in the History of Ideas”

Excursus 097 – On Events and Processes

Hossein Jorjani First publication: 2026 – 07 – 20 Many historical and scientific developments are commonly described as if they consisted of discrete events: revolutions, paradigm shifts, qualitative leaps, breakthroughs, or discoveries. Such expressions are often useful as descriptive labels, but they should not be mistaken for explanations. Closer examination frequently reveals that what appearsContinue reading “Excursus 097 – On Events and Processes”

Excursus 046 – On Natura Non Facit Saltus

Hossein Jorjani First publication: 2026 – 07 – 18 The maxim natura non facit saltus (“nature makes no leaps”) has long served both as a methodological principle and as an ontological hypothesis. Methodologically, it directs inquiry toward identifying intermediate stages and causal connections rather than accepting apparent discontinuities as ultimate explanations. Ontologically, it expresses theContinue reading “Excursus 046 – On Natura Non Facit Saltus”

Excursus 014 – On Dualism

Hossein Jorjani First publication: 2026 – 06 – 30 The appearance of paired opposites in Bacon’s examples (“hot/cold,” “white/black”) should not be taken as evidence of a dualistic worldview. These pairs were part of the inherited scientific and rhetorical vocabulary of his time—convenient, vivid, and pedagogically familiar—but not philosophically binding. Bacon’s underlying physics was continuist,Continue reading “Excursus 014 – On Dualism”