Science and Philosophy: Origins, Evolution, and Modern Disciplines

Philosophy vs. Science: A Fundamental Distinction

Science is the systematic study and understanding of natural or social phenomena. It is fundamentally concerned with empirical data—information that can be observed, tested, and repeated. A specific course of action, known as the scientific method, guides scientific inquiry.

The Historical Divergence of Science from Philosophy

Science originally started as a part of philosophy, known as natural philosophy. However, science significantly deviated from philosophy in the 17th century. When discussing science today, we typically consider three main branches: natural science, social science, and formal science.

Classification of Scientific Disciplines

Scientific disciplines are broadly classified into two main groups:

• Formal Sciences
• Empirical Sciences

Understanding Formal Sciences

Formal sciences are a branch of science dedicated to studying formal language disciplines and abstract structures described by symbolic systems. These sciences serve as crucial language tools, aiding the natural and social sciences by providing frameworks for understanding the structures used to describe the world and the inferences that can be made about them.

Exploring Empirical Sciences

Empirical sciences are further divided into natural and social sciences. They characterize physical and social systems, respectively, using empirical methods. An empirical method involves the use of objective, quantitative observation in a systematically controlled, replicable situation, primarily to test or refine a theory.

Natural Sciences: Studying the Physical World

Natural science is a branch of science focused on the description, prediction, and understanding of natural phenomena. Its foundation rests on empirical evidence derived from observation and experimentation. The hypothetico-deductive method is the primary approach used in natural sciences.

Social Sciences: Understanding Human Society

Social science emerged during the Age of Enlightenment, a period that revolutionized natural philosophy and reshaped the understanding of what science entails. Social science encompasses academic disciplines concerned with society and the intricate relationships among individuals within it. This broad category includes various branches such as anthropology, archaeology, sociology, economics, and political science, among others. In short, the social sciences consist of the scientific study of the human aspects of the world.