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Why do philosophers ask which scientific truths are significant?

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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.

In the philosophy of science, the question of which truths are significant is essential because simply accumulating true statements about the world is insufficient for scientific progress. There are infinitely many true statements that can be made about any given subject, yet most are trivial and not worth knowing.1

Philosophers ask about significance because an account of science cannot rest solely on the claim that it seeks truth. If science is to be understood as making progress, it must be because it provides an increasing number of truths that are considered significant—either because they satisfy human curiosity or because they help achieve practical goals.1

Because there is no universally accepted, objective "agenda set by nature" to determine which truths matter, philosophers must acknowledge that judgments of human values and interests are central to directing scientific inquiry. Consequently, the philosophy of science must move beyond logic, epistemology, and metaphysics to incorporate moral and political philosophy, as the determination of what is "significant" involves weighing the collective good and the divergent interests of different groups within society.1