Science literally means knowledge. Science, however, refers to a predefined system of acquiring knowledge, and the resultant knowledge. Usually science is associated with all the modern gadgets/ideas like engines, computers, relativity, cloning, quantum mechanics, genetics etc. However, these gadgets/ideas are not even remotely as important as the method following which they are discovered/invented/proposed/established. The scientific method contains the following steps:
- State hypothesis
- State assumptions, and check their validity
- Make falsifiable predictions, based on the hypothesis
- Conduct experiments to test predictions
- If experiment falsifies hypothesis, check experiment for error, if no error conclude hypothesis is false, else say hypothesis is possible, remember it is not confirmed.
- Repeat steps 3-5.
As the number of experiments that don’t falsify a hypothesis increase, it becomes a theorem/law. However, importantly, even if one experiment falsifies the hypothesis, it must be modified accordingly. This further means no scientific theory can ever be confirmed true, not now, not ever. Science is knowledge that is open to correction, which all knowledge ought to be. Focusing on science’s knowledge body while ignoring its significantly more important philosophical foundation is due to the teaching fraternity in oppressive cultures who believe that philosophy/ethics is the prerogative of religion.
Further, this is the philosophy that brought, and is bringing, knowledge to general public. It facilitates the participation of everybody, to question and contribute knowledge. It does not pretend to be “ultimate knowledge” that should be learnt without criticism/questions. It does not ask you to believe something on reputation. It is really sad that some, who claim to care for the people, fight science not knowing, probably not wanting to know, that they are fighting for the establishment of a vertically stratified society.
Something is not true because somebody likes it to be true or somebody thinks it to be true; it is true because it is true, period. Science, by definition, cannot invoke authority. This is easily demonstrated by the scientific world's tireless attempts to disprove/improve many theories. If similar attempts are made on religious “knowledge”, "sentiments" would be hurt. Books/films will be banned and people harassed or killed (in the case of Islam). A scientist is happiest when/if s/he can destroy any pillar of science. The purpose of a religious student is to learn/understand what is “already perfect”. If s/he cannot learn/understand it, it is because s/he is not doing something right or s/he does not have the capacity, or s/he is too selfish, anything can be the reason; anything that is but the possibility that something might be wrong in/with the so called knowledge itself.
People argue Vyasa is learned, or that Muhammad/Jesus had a special channel to God, and so must be “believed”. Science will not ask for “belief” in Einstein, and it will not harass/kill people for questioning him. This is the essence of the philosophy of science.
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This article was primarily initiated in my mind when I read Ice Candy apparently placing philosophy and science as antagonists in his Poverty.
