Science is built of facts

For something to be science, scientists' first start off with several observations by investigating and this requires a lot of imagination. After explaining and interpreting these observations, facts are gathered. When there is a possible solution of the problem, then a theory is made. These possible solutions, also known as hypotheses, extend the scientists thinking beyond the facts and help them predict events that have not been observed. After the theory is publicized, scientists design experiments, perform calculations and make observations to test if the theory is true. If observations confirm it, then theory is supported but if observations deny it, then further research needs to be conducted. If there are problems in the experiment, then the theory may have to be revised or rejected. One useful scientific theory is the kinetic model theory. It says that gases are visualized as small particles in fast constant motion. Just like what physician Albert Einstein had said before: "If facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." Therefore, facts by themselves are not science simply because there is no real evidence.

Thus it's all about connecting the dots, putting all the facts together to make a point, then only can science takes place. All the 'how's' and 'why's' needs to be understood and answered. This is also similar to the idea of constructing a house. The design of the house needs to be drawn out in detailed before beginning to build it. And this is where reasoning comes in. It is through reasoning that we can unite blocks of bricks together, which is just like putting all the pieces of a scientific puzzle together. This can also be related to other areas of knowledge such as Art and Math. In art, a real masterpiece painting is not just made of strokes of paints or lines. And in math, it is not just the accumulation of numbers and formulae. Math helps mathematicians understand relations between the various figures and quantities that are represented by numbers or formulae.

Science had also helped to extended and enriched our knowledge. When people acquire more of the scientific knowledge system, they would know more about the world around them and the development of life. Increased knowledge in science leads them in making more rational decisions about life. However, as useful scientific knowledge is, all products of science are not always beneficial and do not always lead to improved development or improved quality of life. Science is a natural phenomenon which may not be explained as limitations and uncertainties are associated with it. An example is the use of antibiotics. Even though it helped to save lives, it can cause diarrhea, nausea and vomiting to several people.

I personally think that this quote is quite interesting and different people can derive different meanings to it. Science to me is a system of scientific knowledge that is categorized and it has to follow scientific method to formulate theories, with a lot of experimental observations to be done in order to prove these facts. Say for example a hydrogen atom is a diatomic atom which has one proton and electron. This is simply just a fact and it does not necessary means its chemistry. But if that is change where hydrogen is necessary for hydrochloric acid in order for it to become a strong acid and take part in reactions, then its chemistry. Reasons and rational thoughts must be used to find the relationship between the facts and an idea. At first I thought that facts are just facts and as long as the facts are scientific, there is science. But it is not. Those brief concepts can make the facts specific but it's really the in depth connection that is made from all the concepts that correlate with each other.

Reference:

TOK book,

www.sciforum.hu/file/Addy.doc

www.gap-system.org/~history/Biographies/Poincare.html