Show All Channels Show All Channels

There are 38 articles on this title. You are reading the article ranked and rated 5 by Helium's writers.

Debate_icon

Sciences   >

Sciences (Other)

Can we separate science from ideology?

Results so far:

No
37% 113 votes Total: 304 votes
Yes
63% 191 votes

Yes, we can seperate science from ideology.

An ideology is a collection of ideas. From this definition, using it strictly, Science is not a ideology.

Instead, Science is really a methodology. It is a process we use to collect accurate information about our environment. The earliest known well-defined form of this method was developed by polymath scientist Ibn al-Haytham in the 9th century, and reached western scientists like Bacon and Kepler. Galileo introduced quantitative measurements into the method, where its unparalleled success caused it to be quickly adapted into natural philosophy, the predassesor of science. The process, now called the scientific method, is still used today, and is the source and strength of all scientific facts.

However, we also use the term "Science" as an ideology. We usually call the organization of ideas that makeup physics, chemistry, and biology as sciences. In acedemia these are refered to as "hard sciences". This is because the term "science" is incorrectly used to describe the ideologies of mathematics, engineering, computers, psychology, sociology, and library, to name a few. These ideologies do not rely on the scientific method to collect data and verify ideas.

To distinguish sciences from ideologies - just ask one simple question: does its ideas depend on the Scientific Method? Let's Check:

Mathematics - No. Mathematics uses axioms and operations.

Engineering - No/Partial. We don't use the scientific method in designing a circuit or building a bridge. Engineers are already expected to know the formulas and apply them effectively the first time. Remember the formulas and data come from physics, chemistry, or biology, which are true sciences because they use the scientific method to build data and ideas.

Computers - No. Computer ideologies are a mixture of engineering and methematics. No one uses the Scientific Method to write a program orunderstand binary operations.

Psychology - No/Partial. Psychology uses a method model very close to a Scientific Method but not close enough. Also, for psychology to be a true science, it would have to start from the a biological basis, just like chemistry start from a physical basis, and biology starts from a chemical basis. Psychology would have to start from neurons, then to classes of neuronal circuits, and onwards. Psychology, at the moment, uses more theories NOT based clearly on observations (which science requires).

Sociology - No/Partial. It is in the same boat as Psychology.

Library - No. It obviously does not need to use the Scientific Method.

Learn more about this author, Doc Meson.
Contact this writer Click here to send author comments or questions.


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Can we separate science from ideology?

Yes
No
  • 1 of 19

    by Briar Shaw

    We tend to assume that science is different to ideology, that it is more real or valid, because it deals in physical ...read more

  • 2 of 19

    by Jennifer Paige

    Every decision we make as scientists are influenced by our ideologies. In every step of the research process, we are ...read more

Add your voice

Know something about Can we separate science from ideology??
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

105799

Featured Partner

AmericaSpeaks

AmericaSpeaks connects citizens with decision makers to discuss the most critical policy issues of today. Using i...more

What is Helium? | User Guide | Community | Link to Helium | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA