What exactly is science?

Question

many points in science are disputed ( see global warming debate ), so what is the best definition you know for what is science, and what is not.

Answer 1

Good question. The word science means knowledge.

The definition of ‘science’ has haunted philosophers of science in the 20th century. The earlier approach of Bacon, who is considered the founder of the scientific method, was pretty straightforward:

observation → induction → hypothesis → test hypothesis by experiment → proof/disproof → knowledge.

Of course this, and the whole approach to modern science, depends on two major assumptions: causality and induction. The philosopher Hume made it clear that these are believed by ‘blind faith’ (Bertrand Russell’s words). Kant and Whitehead claimed to have solved the problem, but Russell recognized that Hume was right. Actually, these assumptions arose from faith in the Creator-God of the Bible, as historians of science like Loren Eiseley have recognized. Many scientists are so philosophically and theologically ignorant that they don’t even realize that they have these (and other) metaphysical assumptions. Being like a frog in the warming water, many do not even notice that there are philosophical assumptions at the root of much that passes as ‘science’. It’s part of their own worldview, so they don’t even notice. We at CMI are ‘up front’ about our acceptance of revelation (the Bible). Unlike many atheists, we recognize that a philosophy of life does not come from the data, but rather the philosophy is brought to the data and used in interpreting it.
Perceptions and bias

The important question is not ‘Is it science?’ We can just define ‘science’ to exclude everything that we don’t like, as evolutionists do today. Today, science is equated with naturalism: only materialistic notions can be entertained, no matter what the evidence. The prominent evolutionist Professor Richard Lewontin said:

‘We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of its failure to fulfil many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated just-so stories, because we have a prior commitment, a commitment to materialism. It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the phenomenal world, but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counter-intuitive, no matter how mystifying to the uninitiated. Moreover, that materialism is an absolute, for we cannot allow a Divine Foot in the door.’1

Now that’s open-minded isn’t it? Isn’t ‘science’ about following the evidence wherever it may lead? This is where the religion (in the broadest sense) of the scientist puts the blinkers on.

http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/2480/

Answer 2

science is a method for understanding the outside physical world. people test hypothesis, form theories and make ever improving approximations of reality. details of global warming are debated, global warming itself isnt really debated within science. anyone can question anything. thats part of the greatness that is science, but it is slowly getting perverted by people who dont understand logic, reason and evidence. just because people yell loud enough doesnt mean their view has any scientific validity. for science to make conclusions on something, it needs studies on top of studies, and theorys predicting results and verifiable confirmation of hypothesis.

Answer 3

Actually, Science and Life Science are actually about the same thing, so I'm gonna tell you the definition for life science. Life Science is the study of living things --from the tiniest bacterium to the largest tree!You will discover many similarities of all living things, you will learn about the tools life scientists use, and you'll learn to ask your own questions about the living world around you.People have always searched for answers about life. There is always more to be learned, so keep your eyes open!!!!

Answer 4

Science is the process of seeking rational explanations for natural processes based-upon observational data. It seeks to be both descriptive and predictive.

Answer 5

One definition is:
Science is the systematized body of knowledge about a given subject matter.

Answer 6

the prosess of finding a testable truth

to messure, classify and organise... the interpretation of this data...

most GOOD science is just data... the debate is on the interpretation of that data!

Answer 7

IKE & TINA answered this

River deep and mountain high

Answer 8

science is as science does i have no idea what im talking about ask tom cruise he will know lol

Answer 9

Why does a mouse when it spins? ☺