Core Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge and Its History

Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge

Scientific knowledge is philosophically opposed to any kind of dogmatism. It requires specific conditions for the validity of its postulates, which must be obtained through reflection and empirical evidence, expressed through logical reasoning, and directed toward objects intended to be known. It differs from other forms of knowledge in both its methodology and the instruments used.

Scientific knowledge is characterized as:

• Rational
• Orderly
• Systematic
• Verified
• Fallible
• Searching for regularities

Key Principles of Scientific Knowledge

Scientific knowledge possesses two primary characteristics:

1. Empirical Validation: It is the result of a contract between theory and empirical data. This means the only valid knowledge is that which stands the test of reality.
2. Methodological Rigor: To obtain it, one must follow a series of procedures to assess validity. Scientific knowledge is based on the implementation of a research method that allows for both the construction of knowledge and the assessment of its applicability.

The History of Science

This discipline examines the different responses that, over time, humanity has given to questions regarding the world. Within the history of science, the concept of what is considered scientific is discussed, noting that it remains historically fluid. It originated in a specific historical period: modernity.

The Origins of the Social Sciences

The disciplines we now call social sciences developed as a group during the 19th century, a period defined by the consolidation and expansion of industrial capitalism. The spread of industrialization in Europe had profound social and political consequences.

The 19th century was a turbulent era: alongside wars between states, it saw dramatic social conflicts within nations. It was the century that witnessed the rise of unions and labor organizations, as workers faced the claims of employers. Politically, this social conflict was reflected in the emergence of parties representing the interests of each sector involved.