Relations of sciences?

Question

I have asked a similar question to this, but I am looking for more answers.

Does anybody know how you can classify sciences by their... fundamentality? Lol word?

What I mean is we could place physics at the top, then below that put chemistry, since to really understand what is happening in chemistry, you need physics. Then under chemistry we can put biology, for the same reason, then maybe phychology... I cannot think of where to put ones like astronomy, climatology, geology, ect.

I don't mean classifying them by importance, just their dependance. Chemistry doesn't need biology to be fully understood, but it does need physics.

I meant it as a web like thing physandchemteach, thanks for clarifying.

Answer 1

You would need a web to classify the sciences - not a ladder as you are attempting.

physics --> chemistry ---> biology----> botany
| |
astronomy ; zoology ---> mammology,
|

ornithology, icthiology, herpetology

I cannot get everything in a web here, but you should get the idea.

Answer 2

I would say that first you have Physics, because it deals with particles smaller than atoms. Then you would have Chemistry because it deals with atoms. Then Biology, because it deals with cells, which are made up of atoms. I would say that Geology comes next because rocks are also made of atoms and some rocks, like fossils, are made up of Biological organisms (like plants or animals). Then I would say Astronomy because the world is made of rocks and the solar system is made of planets.

Answer 3

Except for direct relationships (e.g.: nuclear physics spawning nuclear medicine, maybe), I don't think you can legitimately classify or rank sciences by their order of importance. Each branch of science, although it may arise from work done in another, is a science unto itself; no less important or of lower value than any other.