Science, I am sure that almost everyone who has tapped into the ever-flowing information trend must have come across that word "science". But the understanding of this term is sadly limited and variant at the same time and unless guided, a novice unskilled in its methods would wade its waters but in vain. However, even among those who practice science, there is a subtle debate about what the concept termed science entails and what methods are most appropriate for its practices. It is this problem we wish to tackle, step by step, I will go ahead in this article to describe the concept, what it is all about and help us understand the evolution of this art. But first, we must not get ahead of ourselves. In order that we may understand what we are discussing here, let us take a step back and ask ourselves " what is science?"
Science is coined from the Latin word "scire" which means to "tear apart", "to dissect", " to analyze". However, the concept of this practice goes beyond the mere practice of analysis, however important it is. Science encompasses a larger scope and gives us a window to learn about our material universe (and energy, since they are interdependent). Science is a method of acquiring knowledge of phenomenon, their causes and extent of their effects, by collecting data, forming a hypothesis(not conjectures) and testing, or analyzing if one may. We must take note that science is not knowledge itself, but only a
Method of obtaining knowledge (this is a common mistake made by many, confusing science for philosophy which when translated to its original language means "to know". Indeed one is only a derivative of the other). Those who practice science are generally called scientists, although this term could be dissected into a specialist compellation such as a physicist, chemist and so on..
Somethings are essential to the practice of science, and they exert an equal influence as one cannot be without the other. These are called features, and though there are major and minor features, the crux of our concern is the major features which are observation, collecting data, analyzing, theorizing and contradicting. The minor features include aesthetic prowess in the act of patience, imagination, and curiosity.
Observations are the building blocks of science, the flour of the cake. They are the most vital and important part of the process. Without observing, a scientist can barely conclude with assurance that his theory is dependable or defendable, there would barely even be a theory to defend! How are observations made? By looking carefully and sedulously into the details of whatever we wish to study or imagine, bringing to light its most distinguishing features and breaking them down into a pattern simply by looking. Take note, observing this is different from the mere act of " seeing", where the former brings even the most
Imperceptible details of a light, the other is done almost absent-mindedly, involuntarily in a word. In a more succinct definition, "observing" is an active action, while "seeing" is a passive action. Like the famous English detective Sherlock Holmes was fond of telling his ancillary, Dr. Watson, "you see my dear Watson, but you do not observe. There is a difference."
Data! Data! The building blocks of information. After observing the specimen (process) we wish to study, we must collect information about the process. Information is vital and is used as a reference in validating our opinions about the process. From this collection of data, we can draw a pattern or an occurrence, and for most scientists,the more data one has obtained, the more dependable his conclusion is likely to be. However one need not amass a large number of data if one can not, since a dependable inference can be drawn even by studying specific cases. For example, Johannes Kepler arrived at his conclusion that the celestial bodies moved around each other, not by observing every celestial body, but the ones accessible to his vision even from a long distance, and was able to predict the behavior of celestial bodies light years away! How outstanding!
A hypothesis is an intelligent guess made as a result of observing the structure of the amassed data. This can be a conjecture, neither valid or invalid until sufficiently proven or disproven. It can be a presumption but not an assertion and its statement cannot be verified nor refuted and hence are not definite propositions.
This is the point where our flour begins to give our bread a definite shape. At this point, our hypothesis begins to give us more assurance, and our speculations become more than just "guesswork", they become a "theory". However, theories are still subject to change or opposition and further developments. For example, Darwin's theory of evolving species was doubted for many years until the mid-1930s. Einstein's theory of special relativity was modified to a theory of general relativity and even Einstein's theory was a result of an improvement of Newtonian physics. Theories are pods for facts, they are what helps the facts make sense.
As dreadful as the title sounds, falsifiability is an essential tool for the development of scientific reasoning, pointing out errors and loopholes, so that the theory can be made as stringent and airtight as possible. This, in turn, allows no room for errors or mistakes. It is an error checking tool and can be likened to an antivirus, detecting viruses (errors) and eliminating them, leaving our theories sparkling and error free.
And there we have it, that the practice of science is neither mysterious nor enigmatic but methodical, following fixed steps of precepts and features, and can be practiced anywhere and by anyone. The scientific community is a cosmopolitan universe, not as secluded as portrayed, but a worldwide and open avenue for any who is yearning to learn and discover the universe by logical and verifiable means. The practice of science has proved to be of use and can be seen in the development of mobile phones, understanding black holes and the components of our universe such as quasar and neutrinos but like all other things, it has also being employed for other diabolical means as can be seen in wars and terrorism. However, science bears no ethical responsibility and is impervious to blame, rather humans who employ this method to acquire knowledge must bear the ethical responsibility.
I hope by now, we have come to understand what this concept entails and what basic things a scientist must understand before embarking on his scientific episode. In my next article, I will discuss the methods of science and a long debate that has long unnoticed. As for the meantime, stay scientific. Thank you.
