Here's my attempt at a definition:
The development and revision of theory based upon [systematic] observation of worldly phenomena (psychical, mental, and social), then the application of the theory back to the worldly phenomena in an effort to explain, *or* predict, or otherwise understand them. And repeat.
I would add one more clause as well: ... with the overall intention of improving life quality.
Within this definition there is *room for* experimentation, falsifiability, etc., but I argue that these only mark certain paradigms of science, not science itself. So the goal here is to create a definition that will cover all, or the most possible, forms of science within one definition. Similarly, some science seeks to explain but not necessarily predict, hence the "or".
Who's game? Let's define this thing.
[My reason: In education right now, there are constantly calls for more scientific research, which is great. However, since this terms is so undefined, what I see is more like an excuse to ignore any research (particularly more humane research) one wants on the basis of it being "unscientific". Very easy to do if we have no real definition of science, and if it's research we'd rather not deal with anyway.]
Please post your best definition of science!
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I got it:
ReplyDeleteThe search for mechanisms.
That's it.
A scientific theory is any description that is empirically falsifiable.
ReplyDeleteBut that's just the theory of scientific theory.
Science itself is as varied as the culture of the various disciplines that claim to be scientific. Afterall, one has to know what "descriptions" are considered "theory" and what "evidence" is sufficient for "falsifiability."
See also Thamas Kuhn and Carl Djerassi.
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ReplyDeleteEmpiricism
ReplyDelete