Science by George Hernandez

Exploring science and engineering.

The idea is to understand the Scientific Method and to have fun applying it while accumulating Scientific Knowledge.

In general we look for a new law by the following process. First we guess it. Then we compare the consequences of the guess to see what would be implied if this law that we guessed is right. Then we compare the result of the computation to nature, with experiment or experience, compare it directly with observation, to see if it works. If it disagrees with experiment it is wrong. In that simple statement is the key to science. It does not make any difference how beautiful your guess is. It does not make any difference how smart you are, who made the guess, or what his name is--if it disagrees with experiment it is wrong

Richard Feynman (1918/1988), US educator & physicist

"The scientific method," Thomas Henry Huxley once wrote, "is nothing but the normal working of the human mind." That is to say, when the mind is working; that is to say further, when it is engaged in correcting its mistakes. Taking this point of view, we may conclude that science is not physics, biology, or chemistry--is not even a "subject"--but a moral imperative drawn from a larger narrative whose purpose is to give perspective, balance, and humility to learning.

Neil Postman. The End of Education, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1995, p 68.

Distillations of ideas from Karl Popper:

All observation is theory laden.

All knowledge is conjectural.

Scientific knowledge is tested by observation, not derived from it.

Scientific theories are testable conjectures.

Science is uses the Scientific Method to acquire Scientific Knowledge.
- The Scientific Method is the process of gaining knowledge via the systematic study of things that can be examined, tested, and verified. The scientific method involves iterations and recursions of 4 steps:
  1. Characterization. Observation, measurements, data, evidence, objectivity.
  2. Hypothesis. A theoretical hypothetical explanation, esp. using inductive reasoning (induce something general from specifics).
  3. Prediction. An expected behavior based upon the hypothesis, esp. using deductive reasoning (deduce something specific from generalities).
  4. Experimentation. Test the prediction. "Thus the yeoman work in any science, and especially physics, is done by the experimentalist, who must keep the theoreticians honest." -Michi Kaku.
- Scientific Knowledge is the body of knowledge acquired via the scientific method. All scientific knowledge is in flux and is always open to more iterations of the scientific method and peer review.
The word "science" is from the Latin word scire ("to know") or scientia ("knowledge").
Science, Engineering, and Art:
- Science is the acquisition of truth and beauty by means of the Scientific Method.
- Engineering and technology is the practical application of science and anything the application work (including duct tape and kicking it).
- Art is the acquisition of beauty by any means possible.
Real life science is much more general application of The Scientific Method because we're human beings and we're not very linear. See "The Myth of the Magical Scientific Method" by Dr. Terry Halwes.
Science and Philosophy. Science is concerned with "How?", but Philosophy is also concerned with "Why?".
One way to categorize the sciences:
- Mathematical sciences. Different from the other branches because it uses relationships and logic without needing physical manifestations.
- Physical sciences. Matter and energy.
  - Earth sciences
  - Life sciences
  - Social sciences

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