Science

My current view of Science,

“Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” - Carl Sagan

While I am far from one to say science can explain everything, I think the scientific method is the best tool we have for discovering truth, at least in this natural world. If philosophy and religion are about exploring truth beyond the natural world, Science is about exploring truth within it. The history of modern science is fascinating, filled with colourful characters and wonderful minds. Time and time again throughout history truth in science has persevered. It has trumped those who have ferociously apposed it and is still doing the same today.

Most of the luxuries we have in our daily lives we owe to the discoveries through science from cars, to house hold appliances, running tap water, food preservation, computers and electricity. Our understanding of the natural world is ever growing and the gap of the unknown is getting smaller and smaller. Science to me isn’t necessarily a whole bunch of facts we know about the world, but like Carl Sagan explains is “a way of thinking”. Science asks us not to be quick to draw conclusions, but to take our time and test things out through what is known as the “scientific method”.

The scientific method as I understand it, is about first collecting as much data possible on a certain scientific question or observation, formulating a reasonable theory due to the evidence and then if possible, either through observation or experimentation, test the theory again and again to see if it stands up as true. Once a scientific theory is established, it is put through what is known as ‘peer review’ where it’s passed along those within the scientific community who carefully analyse the theory and further establish its validity or its fallacies. This is to try and help keep science a bias free domain.

I do however think we should always be careful when it comes to scientific discoveries. We should always accept where the evidence points us, but never hold to strongly to a scientific idea or theory, because you never know what we will discover in the future. That is the beauty of science, its willingness to change direction depending on the evidence. That to me is a sign that science truly is a wonderful method that honestly cares about finding truth.