In general, science is known as any body of knowledge systematically arranged to describe realities and answer various questions. For example: mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology .
The evolution of science is perhaps the most significant development of the human being as a species , since throughout its existence science has advanced substantially.
Without a doubt, the contributions of the so-called “pre-scientific era” were a decisive starting point, without which the levels of scientific progress seen today would never have been achieved.
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“Science”: a broad term
The definition of science is constantly under discussion and subject to constant revision.
Likewise, there are debates about whether a discipline is a science or not. Many academic circles believe that only knowledge obtained through a specific methodological process can be defined as scientific.
In this way, the knowledge generated can eventually be refuted. This concept revalues scientific dynamics, implying that knowledge that once seemed absolute and complete can later be refuted. This methodological requirement may prove too rigorous for certain disciplines.
Types of science
Most science theorists have agreed to distinguish between:
- Formal sciences. These are sciences that focus on creating their own field of study, and their knowledge is abstract. For example:
- Factual sciences. These are sciences that analyze and study tangible facts or phenomena in the world. For example:
For Plato, one of the greatest thinkers in the history of humanity, the formal sciences are the most important, because they deal with the world of ideas and support all the others.
On the other hand, factual sciences can be:
- Exact sciences. These are sciences that, to a greater or lesser extent, respond to logical and demonstrable criteria about how the world works. For example:
- Humanities. These are the sciences that deal with human behavior (and not with the underlying conditions, such as their biological makeup), whether individual or social. For example:the story.
Human-related disciplines do not always meet the methodological criteria required by some sectors of the scientific academy, but this does not mean they should cease to be considered scientific disciplines. Rather, they should be studied using alternative methods, such as historical, sampling, or anthropological methods.
Examples of science
| Mathematics | Paleontology | Computing |
| Logic | Sociology | History |
| Linguistics | Right | Oceanography |
| Chemistry | Anthropology | Physics |
| Biology | Geography | Economy |
| Astronomy | Psychology | Biochemistry |
| Physiology | Philosophy |
Science in everyday life
Science is present in all areas of human development , allowing individuals to gain greater knowledge of the world around them, satisfy their needs, and improve their quality of life. Some examples are:
- In construction and building. Knowledge from sciences such as mathematics and physics is used to construct houses, buildings, and all types of structures used by humans. These processes require the appropriate materials , which vary depending on the type of construction being carried out.
- In pharmaceutical manufacturing . Scientific knowledge, obtained through study and research by scientists from different disciplines, is used to develop medicines that address ailments or conditions affecting the body, both in humans and other animals .
- In the food industry, science is used to understand the human body and, from there, determine its nutrients and nutritional needs. The food industry produces food from raw materials to satisfy the global population. This process uses machinery and tools that emerge with the development of science and technology.
- In the textile industry , machinery and technologyare used to make clothing for humans. These garments are manufactured from natural or synthetic materials and involve various processes. The textile industry uses sciences such as mathematics to create molds and technology to develop machinery.
- In the design and production of machinery. Machinery of all types is used in various industrial processes, produced using scientific knowledge.
- In the development of technology. Science is used to develop new technology, which is then used in different fields. Technology involves the development of new ways of doing things and uses science to gain knowledge.
- In the diagnosis and prevention of diseases. Science is used in the field of medicine to understand the human body, its components, and potential threats. This is used to detect diseases and pathologies and propose cures.
- In the knowledge of nature. Different sciences, such as geography, biology, and geology, are used to understand planet Earth and its characteristics. Scientific knowledge of this type is essential for discovering the causes of phenomena and being able to predict them.
- In the fieldof education, educational sciences are used to develop new ways of managing the educational and learning process . Within this field, sciences such as pedagogy, psychology, and psychopedagogy are involved.
- In the understanding of phenomena. Scientific knowledge obtained through experimentation is used to understand the causes and consequences of certain phenomena. These phenomena can be products of nature, such as natural phenomena , or also phenomena related to human behavior. Within this field, many diverse sciences are used, such as physics, chemistry, geography, psychology, among others.
- In the understanding of human behavior. Various sciences are used to study and understand the reasons for human behavior and its different forms. Sciences such as psychology, pedagogy, biology, philosophy, and many others work within this field.
- In the exploitation and care of natural resources. Science is used to understand the physical world that surrounds humans and, based on that data, to make use of it. Science allows us to understand the properties of natural resources so that humans can use them in different industries and for various purposes. Another important application of science in this field is to understand the natural environment and establish ways and methods for its care and to reduce the environmental impact of human actions.
- In access to knowledge. Different sciences are used to understand various aspects of the world. The knowledge acquired is usually abundant and varied. Sciences such as history, biology, philosophy, theology, and mathematics allow humans to understand some aspect of the world around them.
- In space research, scientific knowledge from different fields (such as physics, mathematics, and astronomy) is used to understand what exists beyond planet Earth. This discipline is constantly expanding and applies new technology to explore space, a place that is still largely unknown to the human species.
- In the development of products and tools. Scientific knowledge is used to carry out industrial or artisanal processes that allow the manufacture of goods or elements used by humans. This field involves a large number of sciences, including concepts related to design and calculation , among many others.
