Question

Part 1. I was making some questions regarding scientific proofs here and I have been told that falsification is a long abandoned idea of science, it lives on only in amateurish discussions. Well, as far as I knew, falsification was the most modern and accepted view on what is science, but maybe this is not current accepted (or never was). It, then, bags the question to be asked: what is the definition of science that we currently accept and actually use in the most known fields of study such as Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Psychology, etc. Also, can we one day change what we belive to be science. Part 2. Taking into consideration the answer to the previous question, which fields of study can be classified as scientific? I mean, many chemistry experiments can be done in a lab, but many astronomical facts cannot, for Popper, one could be falsified and the other not. Psychology seems a hard to falsify field of study too, since testing humans is quite difficult. Science consists of the following activities (algorithm, the scientific method) Data collectionaka observation. This activity is crucial i.e. thequalityof the data must guaranteed.Pattern detection. Is there a,sensu amplissimo,trendin the data? Is thepattern, if there is one,mathematizablei.e. can we express the pattern as amathematical formula/equation? We can stop here. I would, but most go all the way if you catch me drift. Hypothesisgeneration. Think of a set of ideas that would explain this pattern? Usually multiple hypotheses are offered for evaluation for every pattern detected.Experiment. Choose a hypothesis and makepredictionsbased off of that hypothesis.

Do the predictions come true? If yes, we could say the given hypothesis isconfirmedbut that's allegedly lost favor among scientists.
If the experiment yields negative results (predictions fail), the hypothesis in question isfalsified(re Popper). Back to the drawing board - think of a new hypothesis and conduct new experiments based on it. Wash, lather, rinse repeat. Any field in which this method is applied is a science. Me two cents. Science is defined as Study of Experiments. Nothing more, nothing less. If you are not doing experiments, just observing and making theories or just doing thought experiments then you are not doing science. You are doing philosophy. Consider all Greek philosophers agreeing that heavy object will fall first, no one bothering to test it by doing a simple experiment. As soon as an experiment is done, thousands of years of philosophy is refuted. Astronomy is applying known scientific laws, which are found by many, many experiments on far away, celestial objects. It's still just observation and theorizing. It cannot be science. Psychology is science when you apply different treatments or run different tests on humans and animals. You do not just theorize, and you do not just observe. Marketing is science when you have focus groups. You present an idea to them and see how well its accepted. Physics is science when you do your own experiments or analyze results of experiments done by others. You see how the data fits. The data must come from experiments, not from observations. It's important because if you are running the experiment you are preventing a lot of factors not in study to interfere in the results. More you can prevent those factors from interfering more accurate your conclusions are. Problem with theorizing on observations alone is you cannot control those factors from interfering. a. Science today is not solely defined by falsification but rather emphasizes a process involving data collection, pattern detection, hypothesis generation, experimentation, and the iterative process of refining ideas. Fields employing this method are considered scientific.

b. The modern definition of science extends beyond falsification, focusing on a process involving data gathering, identifying patterns, formulating hypotheses, experimentation, and revising theories based on empirical evidence. Fields adhering to this method are considered scientific.

c. Science encompasses a methodical process involving data collection, pattern recognition, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and the continuous refinement of ideas based on empirical evidence. Disciplines employing this methodology are recognized as scientific.

d. Today's understanding of science extends beyond mere falsification, emphasizing a systematic approach encompassing data collection, pattern identification, hypothesis development, experimentation, and the ongoing refinement of theories based on empirical evidence. Fields following this methodology are classified as scientific.

Answer 1

Modern science is defined by a systematic method that includes data collection, pattern identification, hypothesis generation, experimentation, and theory refinement, applied across disciplines from physics to archaeology. Science is characterized by testable and falsifiable hypotheses, with repeated testing and evidence leading to robust theories. Fields that follow this methodology are considered scientific.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding the Definition of Science

The modern definition of science encompasses more than just falsification. It refers to a systematic approach involving data collection, pattern identification, hypothesis generation, experimentation, and the continual refinement of theories based on empirical evidence. Even in fields like archaeology or psychology, where experiments may not be as easily repeatable, the scientific method still applies. Hypotheses are supported or refuted through an accumulation of evidence over time, eventually leading to theories that explain a broad range of phenomena. Thus, science is a dynamic process characterized by the formulation of testable and falsifiable hypotheses, rigorous testing, and modification of theories in light of new evidence.

Classifying Fields as Scientific

Fields that adhere to this systematic methodology of observation, hypothesis testing, and theoretical refinement are classified as scientific. This includes traditional sciences like physics and chemistry, as well as social sciences like psychology, and even disciplines such as archaeology. Though experiments in some fields cannot be repeated in a laboratory setting, these areas of study contribute to our understanding of the universe by supporting or refuting hypotheses through consistent evidence.

Repeated testing and the openness to revise or discard hypotheses based on new evidence are cornerstones of the scientific process. This process allows for knowledge to build over time and provides a robust framework for understanding natural phenomena and solving problems across various domains of inquiry.