Seven Fundamental Sciences

 

I am not quite sure when it happened. I think it might have been when I was about 21 or 22, which was about 3-4 years ago. Somewhere around that time in my life, is when I really got it. It was a magical realization, like a brilliant cascade of sunlight into a formerly dark curtained room. It was the realization of the magnificence of science. Science is power. Incredible power. It is an incredible tool that can be used towards any conceivable end. It is bar none, hands down, the very best method of discovering "true" knowledge, in terms of factual reality. Science is also a way of looking at the world, that does not negate religion, nor does it kill human meaning and the need for faith, but gives unto us a challenge to find empirical evidence for belief systems rather than requiring us to persist in believing nonsense, such as many of today's religions require us to do. Why not create a new religion instead which in essence would be based on science that does not contradict factual, observable phenomenon? I have been considering such a plan in the past few months.

So regardless of what your career path is going to look like, or whatever you plan to do with your life, it would be a fundamental mistake if you decided to totally ignore science. You should at least familiarize yourself with the basic principles. Learn some higher math, pick a science area that catches your interest, whether it be physics, chemistry, biology, etc. and study that a little bit. It is only a benefit for you to do so.

I have come up with my own pet theory about how to classify the sciences. I think there may be 8 major sciences. These are Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Mathematics, Method, Physics, Social Science. I will explain further on "Method", which I feel is an area that is not sufficiently covered in beginning science courses. Method is the study of the philosophy of science, as well as research practices, principles of reasoning, evidence, and argumentation, and also covers applied science wholly. On another note, I know that Social Science is not considered a science in the same sense that the other subjects listed are, but if progress is made on employing more rigorous methodology to that field it has the potential to eventually become a "hard" science rather than an academic or scholarly field which it is today.

To make a scientist, I think at least 5,200 total hours of study and training would be necessary, as well as basic proficiency in 6 of 8 fields of science according to the above classifications. Basic proficiency roughly means 400 hours of training or study.The requirement of a minimum of 1,200 hours (of the 5,200 hours) in Mathematics and Method combined (both of which must be included in any 6/8, 7/8, or 8/8 plans) should be completed. Note that outside of the 2 required fields, a scientist-in-training may choose his or her own plan of study (meaning that they can exclude up to 2 major areas, place more emphasis on certain fields over others, choose to specialize highly in 1 or 2 fields while placing 400 hours in the others, etc.). They would need to pass tests, have additional field work experience or lab research, and write papers as well. I am just presenting this structural plan because it seems to make more sense than the way PhD programs are offered today in the sciences, with their overspecialized focus.

On a concluding note, I will share an observation with you. As important as book study is, studying from the books and texts in combination with hands-on experience and activities is triply beneficial. This doesn't just apply to science studies (where you can make up and try out your own experiments, carefully mess around with some chemicals, etc.) but to all types of studies. Whatever you are studying, don't just learn it all from a book, because you would almost certainly be missing out on a whole treasure trove of hands-on experience and real-world practice that would truly complete your studies. True knowledge I believe comes from the keen and eager absorption of all sources that are available for it. The adding of direct experience and example from the world, people and nature in combination with book knowledge is an interaction that produces great results. Either path alone, personal experiences and trials, or reading and writings only, cannot produce as strong rewards as when in combination.

Science requires precision in definitions.