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How does general philosophy of science differ from philosophy of physics or philosophy of biology?

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Marble bust of Aristotle with a beard and draped robe, showing detailed facial features and wavy hair, set against a dark background. — Philosophy of science Aristotle, marble portrait bust, Roman copy (2nd century bce) of a Greek original (c. 325 bce); in the Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome.

The distinction between general philosophy of science and the philosophy of specific sciences lies primarily in their scope and focus.

General philosophy of science seeks to illuminate the broad, overarching features of scientific inquiry. It continues a long-standing tradition of investigating the fundamental logic, methodology, and aims of science as a whole, addressing metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical issues related to scientific practice.12

In contrast, the philosophy of the special sciences—such as the philosophy of physics and the philosophy of biology—focuses on the specific concepts, theories, and methods unique to those disciplines.213

Philosophy of physics examines the logical structures of physical theories, often exploring deep intellectual commitments regarding the nature of matter, space, time, determinism, and probability. It serves as an intellectual frontier where theoretical physics and philosophy have informed one another for centuries.3
Philosophy of biology investigates the concepts and theories of the biological sciences, often revisiting traditional philosophical questions in light of modern scientific advances, particularly in fields like molecular genetics.4

While general philosophy of science provides a broad framework, the philosophy of special sciences addresses the unique conceptual challenges posed by the subject matter of individual scientific fields.1