Today, science seems to be what people in authority say it is. That’s what we in society learned, or should have learned, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. These “authorities” may be those in government. They may be those in the media. They may be those “experts” in a field of study. Or it may simply be individuals who have made a name for themselves in some manner.
However, that’s something different from the ideal of what science should be.
So what should science be?
Very simply: An unbiased, independent set of established processes intended to learn the truth about the universe.
What are these processes? They include observation, experimentation, and theory development and testing.
Work in each of these processes should include documentation of results with as much detail as possible. Those involved should attempt to integrate results from the same or different processes.
We present here some definitions of terms. These may differ slightly from the standard seen in some literature, but what we think are a consistent set.
Results ≡ the outcome or conclusion from an observation, experiment, or theory
Observation ≡ the viewing and recording of events, structures, and/or behaviors
In many cases it is the initial step in knowing how to proceed toward gaining a further understanding of what is being observed.
Experimentation ≡ the process of testing a hypothesis or theory under suitably controlled conditions to support or reject that being tested
Experimentation may simply be a case of “let’s do this and see what happens.”
It can be a more formal and/or complex process.
Before defining the more formal types of experimentation, though, we provide some additional background.
Hypothesis ≡ a formulated, potentially testable thought or belief
Experiments are generally designed to test hypotheses. A hypothesis may be supported or rejected based on the results.
Constant ≡ an entity which does not change (to the best of our knowledge)
Variable ≡ an entity which may change
As the definition implies, a variable is something which can change. Some variables may be simple, others very complex. A variable can be the time of day. It can be the temperature, one’s age, or the position of planets. A proper experiment attempts to control the relevant variables. People may not always be aware of all the variables involved in an experiment. Uncontrolled relevant variables can invalidate an experiment, leading to false conclusions.
Correlation ≡ a relationship where two or more events or other things occur close together in space or time
Correlation does not mean causation. Just because there appears to be a relationship doesn’t necessarily mean one causes the other.
Now, based on observational or experimental results, people can develop a theory.
Theory ≡ a belief which has been formulated and tested with some scientific evidence to support it
Theories may result from manipulating material or physical aspects in a situation, or they may be largely mathematical. But just because a theory has supporting evidence, it doesn’t necessarily mean the theory is true or correct, either in whole or in part. Evidence of something is not necessarily proof of that something. There could be alternative explanations.
(In common language, what many people loosely call a theory, is in reality just a thought, idea, opinion, or belief. It may be correct, or not. We don’t know until it is tested.)
These processes don’t have to be fixed. As we learn more, they can be modified to improve our knowledge and eliminate prior flawed results.
Science has been subdivided into many fields of study—chemistry, for example—and beyond that into subfields—like organic chemistry. Each field may have its own specialized techniques for conducting scientific research.
(Scientific) Data ≡ collected numbers, structures, images, or other specific entities through research
Science produces data. The data may be correct. It could be wrong due to some error(s) in the process or analysis. Or it may be incomplete or inconclusive, and we have to admit we just don’t know what reality is—yet.
Fact ≡ an entity, such as data, based on a current state of knowledge
Data can be facts in themselves or people can interpret data to generate other facts.
Facts are what guide us in our attempt to understand the universe, but facts can be dependent on things like data, assumptions, and beliefs. What we think of as a fact can be incorrect.
Some scientists use data to develop computer or other models of the way they think things work. These models can help explain theories and make predictions, but are often based at least partially on assumptions, which may or may not be correct. We’ve seen models accepted as fact, but more often they are proven inaccurate.
Several problems have developed in our quest for understanding the universe using various means, including science.
Who does science? People.
People are not perfect. They can make mistakes.
Some, maybe many, established scientists, academics, and others are or tend to become dogmatists. Based on what they have been taught or think they have discovered, they believe they understand the way things are or should be and aren’t willing to consider new (or maybe even old) ideas. They may reject ideas they disagree with—which can include suppressing data or excluding reports from scientific journals, preventing those with such ideas from getting funding to pursue those ideas, and/or even publicly ridiculing the researcher without having read or studied their results with an open-mind.
Dogmatists can be a huge problem when in government or other positions of power. They have developed their own mythical worldviews based on accepting certain data as fact while ignoring other relevant facts or evidence. They propagate them via educational, religious, and legal forums.
There are many examples of this in history. Those in power imprisoned Galileo, burned Giordano Bruno alive, and ridiculed the discoverer of continental drift theory Alfred Wegener. If something doesn’t fit into their paradigm, they reject it—such things as different potentially beneficial medical treatments and psychic phenomena. They believe they hold “TRUTH,”and those who don’t agree should be restricted and/or punished in one or more ways.
Much of science today is atheistic, materialistic. Many scientists, practitioners, and educators believe they are smarter than others, that all of those with what we call spiritual and other different beliefs are deluded. But they don’t realize that they are limiting themselves and others. Life is so much more than the material bodies of living organisms. Think of consciousness.
Acceptance of scientific results which challenge the status quo is and has not typically been easy for economic, political, and/or religious reasons.
When doing science, we should explore something with an open mind, not with a presumed theory as truth, an unproven belief, nor a specific intent to produce a certain desired result for economic or other improper reasons. We must continue to gather data, then do further research to develop and test theories and hypotheses—to either support or disprove them.
Humans and some other aspects of the universe are so complex that they are very difficult to study scientifically. Moral ethics prevent some types of research by those who follow them. Some research topics and effects can’t always be reproduced on demand due to lack of knowledge or uncontrolled variables.
One way we can progress in our universal understanding is for the “established scientists” and others who hold to inaccurate or limited opinions to die. That’s not a very efficient way to move forward. We must have open-minded individuals doing research and in positions of authority.
When dealing with the unknown, we must acknowledge at the time that we don’t know everything and how things fit together. Data, facts, and theory must be continuously open for challenge and overturned if need be.
Science is fallible, for the reasons given here and more. But it is the best tool we have to work toward understanding the universe.
Those in science, education, and government must have integrity and take responsibility for their actions.