4 ms·

People have no idea what science is

• saycheese 10y ago
  Okay, what is science?
  • SpacePotatoe 10y ago
    He can't tell because he is a human
  • alganet 10y ago
    I like the definition that Carl Sagan presented on Cosmos: > It is, so far, entirely a human invention, evolved by natural selection in the cerebral cortex for one simple reason: it works. It is not perfect. It can be misused. It is only a tool. But it is by far the best tool we have, self-correcting, ongoing, applicable to everything. It has two rules. First: there are no sacred truths; all assumptions must be critically examined; arguments from authority are worthless. Second: whatever is inconsistent with the facts must be discarded or revised.
    • skylan_q 10y ago
      Scientists agree. The science is settled.
    • saycheese 10y ago
      Feels to me as if to you science means "Be truthful." Am I missing something?
      • alganet 10y ago
        It is less about truth, more about the process of trying to find it.
        • saycheese 10y ago
          Think we agree, just semantics at this point and me trying to simplify the expression. Thanks!
• wycx 10y ago
  There are many types of science: gentleman scientist science, govt. funded competitive grant science, commercial R&D science, tobacco company science... They all have different incentives which influences how the science is conducted.