5 Questions
What is the primary goal of science?
To build and organize knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions
Which of the following is not one of the three major branches of modern science?
Applied sciences
What distinguishes the formal sciences from the natural and social sciences?
They study formal systems governed by axioms and rules
Why is there disagreement about including the formal sciences as science disciplines?
They do not rely on empirical evidence
When do the earliest written records of identifiable predecessors to modern science date back to?
Bronze Age Egypt and Mesopotamia
Study Notes
Definition of Science
- Science is a rigorous, systematic endeavor that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the world.
Branches of Science
- Modern science is typically divided into three major branches:
- Natural sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, and biology), which study the physical world.
- Social sciences (e.g., economics, psychology, and sociology), which study individuals and societies.
- Formal sciences (e.g., logic, mathematics, and theoretical computer science), which study formal systems, governed by axioms and rules.
Debate about Formal Sciences
- There is disagreement about whether the formal sciences are science disciplines, because they do not rely on empirical evidence.
Applied Sciences
- Applied sciences are disciplines that use scientific knowledge for practical purposes, such as in:
- Engineering
- Medicine
History of Scientific Discipline
- The history of scientific discipline spans the majority of the historical record.
- The earliest written records of identifiable predecessors to modern science date back to:
- Bronze Age Egypt
- Mesopotamia
Test your knowledge of the branches of science with this quiz. Explore questions about natural sciences such as physics, chemistry, and biology, as well as the social sciences including economics, psychology, and sociology. See how well you understand these key areas of scientific study.
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