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William Whewell
Born on May 24 1794, Lancaster United Kingdom Died on March 6 1866, Cambridge United Kingdom -
"Scientist"
Whewell inveted the English word "Scientist"!
Before this term it was "Natural Philosopher" or "Man of Science". The new word was established from a response to a challenge; poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge stated. Coleridge insisted that men of science should not be referred to as philosphers since they are more observing and doing further research."They are more empirical men of experimentation and not philosophers ideas. -
Books Published
Whewell's first philisophical book "philosophy of the inductive sciences founded upon their history" which a second version would be published in 1847 and a third between 1858 and 1860. The second of these books is a reference to Francis Bacon's Novum Organum. -
Colligation
In 1840 William introduced the new element of induction "the act of thought" which he would call Colligation. It's the process of gathering empirical facts that unite them to be expressed in law. Something so minor and overlooked in the philosophy of induction has finally been brought to light. "In every act of knowledge there are two opposite elements, which we may call elements and perceptions" -
Philosophy of Induction
William Whewill was a follower of Francis Bacon. He wanted to find a middle ground in between rationalism and what has been experienced, taken bits of his Philosophy from Francis himself. William even updated one of his works from France's Novum Organum which was published in 1620.