Science Fundamentals: Branches, Methods, and Aesthetics

Understanding Science: Branches, Methods, and Philosophy

Science is one of the most important products of human consciousness. With science, we have been able to understand many of the mysteries of the universe, the world, and human beings themselves. It is also the basis for the transformation and modification of the environment.

Branches of Science

The world of science is broadly categorized into different branches:

• Formal Sciences: These do not have an empirical basis and work with formal entities, such as mathematics or logic. They extract information from existing information.
• Empirical Sciences: In contrast, these sciences use experimentation.
  • Natural Sciences: Refer to phenomena, things, and events in nature, for example, physics, chemistry, biology, or paleontology.
  • Human and Social Sciences: Study the relationships between humans, for example, sociology, economics, or psychology.

Key Scientific Methods and Concepts

The Deductive Method

This method consists of extracting a particular or concrete conclusion from general data or principles. It is the basic method of logic and formal sciences, focusing on deriving specific truths from broader premises.

The Inductive Method

This method consists of extracting a general conclusion from concrete or particular data, after observing what occurs in a large number of cases. It is a form of generalization, moving from specific observations to broader theories.

Verification

Verification involves checking the truth of a hypothesis. For this, it is observed if what the hypothesis states actually occurs; if so, it will be confirmed. The only way to do this is by induction, so it cannot be ruled out that counterexamples may appear in the future.

Falsification

Falsification consists of testing a hypothesis by actively seeking facts that would demonstrate its falsehood. If such facts are found, the hypothesis is falsified and, consequently, rejected. If no such facts are found despite rigorous testing, the hypothesis is provisionally accepted.

The Scientific Method: A Step-by-Step Approach

1. Definition of the Problem: It begins with the discovery of a fact that requires explanation.
2. Basic Research: Basic research is conducted or used as a starting point to discover all factors that might explain the phenomenon.
3. Hypothesis Construction: A hypothesis is a provisional explanation that attempts to explain a fact.
4. Experimentation: Experiments are conducted to reproduce or modify the initial situation.
5. Analysis of Results: The results are analyzed.
6. Hypothesis Verification or Falsification: The hypothesis is either verified or falsified based on the experimental results.
7. Establishment of Laws or Explanations: Finally, if the hypothesis is consistently verified, laws or explanations are established.

Aesthetics: The Philosophy of Art and Beauty

Aesthetics is the branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of art and beauty.

Aesthetics Objectivism

This is the doctrine that aesthetic qualities are genuine properties which inhere in objects independently of the subject's awareness.

Aesthetics Subjectivism

This is the doctrine that aesthetic qualities do not inhere in objects, and that for an object to have some aesthetic quality is for it to produce a certain response in the subject.