If we disambiguate the factual success of <i>applied science</i> from the theoretical aspirations and&#x2F;or formulations of the past 100 years [1], we would note the substantial downturn in the latter compared to 19th century.<p>I further disagree regarding your take on the &quot;underlying&quot; basis of science. Science begs philosophy to explain its (irreducible) mathematical foundation, where the said foundation (&quot;basis&quot;) has a few un-canny givens&#x2F;axioms in its bag of tricks.<p>Empiricism was the line drawn a few centuries ago. And just like the &#x27;magna carta&#x27;, the latter day &quot;sages&quot; apparently have determined the ancient ones were in error ..<p>[post-comment-edit: 1] Roughly speaking. To set bounds, above would consider Einstien a good citizen of 19th century science.