What+is+this+science?+-Zach

As the scientist work in their labs with their white lab coats mixing chemicals and creating explosions, the only thing that people outside of that lab really know is that they are doing something with “science.” Rarely is it asked what actually //is// science. However, science is something that is done every day by ordinary people. There are no special tools required or special knowledge to do something scientific. This isn’t’ to say however that what those scientists in the lab are doing isn’t science, because it is. While their “science” is often times quite a bit more advanced than what the majority of people do, it is all the same. As Dr. Terry Hawles says, “There is no such unique standard method -- scientific progress requires many methods .” Science itself is simple.

Answering the question “what is //this// science?” is even more complicated then determining what exactly science is. Science in general is anything that is determined using logical reasoning. It is also researching new things and gaining a better understanding of what is already known. Clearly science is an incredibly broad term and can be used to describe many different things. “This” science is just the science that is going on right now. It is the things that are presently being determined logically and the things that are currently being researched. This differs from previous sciences because current science builds on previous science. That is all science is. It is refining and learning from previous sciences. Very rarely can something be perfected or can everything be learned about a particular topic. Therefore, the cycle of science improving upon previous sciences is never ending. Advancements will always be made as long as there are people interested in learning more and expanding the scope of knowledge of mankind.

Science has a wide variety of social purposes. One of these is the betterment of technology. Not everyone considers technological advances to be scientific, but they most certainly are. In order to improve upon technology, careful research has to be done. More has to be discovered about the current level of technology and how to use it before it can be improved. Science’s improvements on technology help to better the lifestyle of people. The standard of living is improved as well as the means of entertainment. There is no sense in not improving something that can be. Televisions for example were perfectly fine the way that they were ten years ago. However, they had room for advancement and the work of science has made them better. They are sharper, clearer, larger, yet thinner and lighter at the same time.

The scientific advancement of technology isn’t just about fun and entertainment. Advancing technologies has led to better cars. While this seems like an improvement for entertainment, the technology behind the fuel efficiency of cars is being improved upon rapidly. This decreases the amount of energy needed to fuel cars and is overall much better for the environment.

Scientific progress also leads to innovation in healthcare and health services. Technological advances have lead to better medicine that has cured diseases that previously wiped out thousands of people. Children born today don’t even know what polio is, while only a few decades ago it was a huge problem. Also, laparoscopic procedures have revolutionized the effectiveness of surgeries, and the ability to do certain surgeries. Science leads to bettering the health of the world and to extending the lifespan of the average person.

Science does not have to be carried out in a specific institution. It is most commonly associated with either a laboratory or a school, but as anybody can “do” science, it can be carried out anywhere. When people make observations about the weather and use that to predict what will happen next, they are using science. People also use science in their everyday life when they use electricity and cars. These things are only possible because of science. Much of the stereotypical science with scientists is indeed carried out in labs. Advanced research is often carried out in schools. This does not mean that people can’t experiment and research in their house or anywhere else. No matter what, it is all still science. The location doesn’t affect what is being done.

Science is everywhere. Asking “what is this science?” is like asking “what is this?” Everything uses science. It is impossible to escape it’s scope. Things that seem completely unrelated use science as well. Music and art both rely on science heavily. Music uses science when studying how the actual sounds work and in capturing that sound to play back later. The reason why certain instruments make certain noises is now known because of science. Methods to play back that music are improving as well. Art uses science as well as the combination of art with science go together in perfect harmony.

The answer to “what is this science” doesn’t have a specific answer. Science is everything. “This” science is whatever is going on at this current time. Everybody uses science. While it is just a word, it stands for everything in the world. The word doesn’t do much, but the meaning behind it is imperative to life. Life couldn’t exist without science. The cavemen and simple species make decisions and are using science weather they know it or not. This really proves that science is everything and is the best answer for “what is this science?”