Scincee!!!!! wot is That ????

What is science? Science is the systematic study of nature and behavior of the material and physical universe, based on observation, experiment, measurement, and the formulation of laws to describe these facts in general terms.[1] As James Conant puts it,

“I venture to define science as a series of interconnected concepts and conceptual schemes arising from experiment and observation and fruitful of further experiments and observations. The test of a scientific theory is, I suggest, its fruitfulness.” (James Bryant Conant (1893-1978) U. S. Chemist and Educator)

Within science, a scientific method is utilized that seeks to explain the events of nature in a reproducible way. They are techniques used in investigations of phenomena to acquire new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. The special characteristic of a scientific method of inquiry is that we seek to let reality speak for itself. We apply the scientific method in order to reduce biased interpretation of results and its general purpose is intended to approach an answer through objectivity.

There are three assumptions needed to justify the scientific method: (i) that there is an objective reality shared by all rational observers; (ii) that this objective reality is governed by natural laws; (iii) that these laws can be discovered by means of systematic observation and experimentation. In science the difference between supernatural and natural explanations are made, and science is restricted to the methodology of natural explanations. This restriction is merely methodological, therefore science should not consider supernatural explanations nor can it claim them to be wrong. Supernatural explanations are left to be a matter of personal belief outside the scope of science. Methodological naturalism maintains that proper science requires strict adherence to empirical study and independent verification as a process for properly developing and evaluating explanations for observable phenomena.[2]

“Almost every major systematic error which has deluded men for thousands of years relied on practical experience. Horoscopes, incantations, oracles, magic, witchcraft, the cures of witch doctors and of medical practitioners before the advent of modern medicine, were all firmly established through the centuries in the eyes of the public by their supposed practical successes. The scientific method was devised precisely for the purpose of elucidating the nature of things under more carefully controlled conditions and by more rigorous criteria than are present in the situations created by practical problems.” (Michael Polanyi Personal Knowledge (1958), 183. )

The elements of this method are; formulate a question, generate a hypothesis based on observations, make predictions, test out hypothesis, and analyze the results. In the first stage a question is posed from observations such as, “Why do planets in our solar system revolve around a star?” The question asked affects the final outcome of the investigation. In the second stage a hypothesis is formulated; a hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. A hypothesis must be falsifiable meaning that a proposed assertion can be contradicted by an observation or the outcome of a physical experiment. In the third stage predictions are made involving determining the logical consequences of the hypothesis. In the fourth stage experiments are conducted to investigate whether the real world behaves as predicted by the hypothesis. In the final stage of scientific inquiry involves determining what the results of the experiment show and deciding on the next actions to take. The results are then communicated to scientists familiar with the field for further evaluation.

There is a misconception within the general public with the meaning and usage of the term theory. A theory is defined as, a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be. Within the scientific community a theory becomes acknowledged as a scientific theory when it is supported by experiments, observations, and it must also offer precise predictions that can be measured. Scientifically accepted theories are considered in the realm of science to be ‘facts’—a fact in science means confirmed to such a degree that it is without a reasonable doubt. The heliocentric theory, the theory of evolution, and germ theory still bear the name "theory" even though, in practice, they are considered factual.[3] A theory is never considered to be one-hundred percent but rather the probability of it being true is more likely than not. In light of new observations or evidences a theory becomes modified or rejected—there is no dogma within science. Some say that science is based on faith, but such a statement shows their lack of understanding of what science is. Do we take it by faith that germs exist? Do we take it by faith the theories within Chemistry or Physics to be true and by faith applying them to such contraptions as computers? Do we take it by faith that accepted theories make accurate predictions? Do we take it by faith that gravity exists? Do we take it by faith the earth revolves around the sun? Faith simply means believing with the absence of proof and in science faith does not substantiate a theory. Some theories when initially presented can be based on faith, but when that theory is validated by evidence—evidence based on observations and experiments that are conducted by independent individuals using different methods which are subjected to vigorous criticism by means of peer review—if the theory musters through, faith is no longer used as an option to believe in its validity--it becomes accepted in science as a scientific theory. Thomas Huxley eloquently sums up science as,

“Science is simply common sense at its best that is, rigidly accurate in observation, and merciless to fallacy in logic.”