> natural philosophy, which passed for science
> or physics today

Tut, Tut: Physics these days is what's left when all the other sub-disciplines* have been factored out of Natural Philosphopy. Then you've got the cross-disciplinary hybrids (eg Astrophysics), when it becomes apparent that the factoring-out has gone too far.

But *agree*: we're heading for A Canticle for Leibowitz territory.

PS: How *did* those robbers get that 24-carat toilet they stole from Blenheim Palace to the Throne Room at Mar-a-Lago?

* In no particular order: astronomy, chemistry, biology, geology ....