Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature (from Latin philosophia naturalis), is a term applied to the study of nature and the physical universe that was dominant before the development of modern science. It is considered to be the precursor of natural sciences such as physics.
Forms of science historically developed out of philosophy or more specifically natural philosophy. At older universities, long-established Chairs of Natural Philosophy are nowadays occupied mainly by physics professors. Modern notions of science and scientists date only to the 19th century (the Oxford English Dictionary dates the origin of the word "scientist" to 1834). Before then, the word "science" simply meant knowledge and the label of scientist did not exist. Isaac Newton's 1687 scientific treatise is known as The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy. (wikipedia)
"In the paper of the Rev. H. W. Watson, on "The Progress of Science, its Conditions and Limitations," he tells us that every thinking man recognizes the subjective Self and the objective non-Self, and that this non-Self, so far as it manifests its existence through the senses, is the object of investigation of natural philosophers; but he admits that their investigations have not bestowed upon modern science any results to justify the language of causation." [Vibratory Physics - The Connecting Link between Mind and Matter]
Natural Philosophy was an system of general education that nurtured and developed towards evolving the polymath potential in all individuals.
See Also
Figure 1.12 - Naturally Occurring Frequencies Modes and Music Interval Relations
Figure 5.3 - Vortex or Gyroscopic Motion is Natural and occurs ubiquitously
Genius
genius-man
Keelys Physical Philosophy
Mind Force is a pre-existing Natural Force
Natural Man
Natural Science
Part 24 - Awakening Your Genius
philosophy
Quadrivium
Sketch of a Philosophy
The Philosophy of History - Keely the Founder of a System
19.03 - Philosophy of Transmission and Rotation of Musical Sphere