The latest edition of PNAS features an article co-written by philosophers and scientist pleading for a closer collaboration between their respective disciplines. The article entitled "Why science needs philosophy" argues that despite tight historical links between science and philosophy, present-day scientists often perceive philosophy as completely different from, and even antagonistic to, science. However philosophy can have an important and productive impact on science.
The authors give three examples taken from various fields of the contemporary life sciences. Each bears on cutting-edge scientific research, and each has been explicitly acknowledged by practicing researchers as a useful contribution to science. From there the authors develop in what forms philosphy can help advance science. Read the full article here.