What is science

[KingandPriest]

In various debates, some have opted of putting science against Christianity or the bible in general. There are those who argue that science is completely different, while others claim there are similarities between faith in science and faith in the claims found in the bible.

I hold that science is the activity of systematically studying a body of knowledge on a particular subject. There are various branches of knowledge to study which result in the various "sciences" we have in the world today. As a whole science relies on both empirical and non-empirical types of evidence to support and establish claims, theories and observed repeatable events. The natural sciences attempt to focus solely on empirical evidence as much as possible, while other bodies of knowledge may use empirical evidence or non-empirical evidence.

As of today, there are 15 types of evidence which can be used to test the validity of a claim. These are:

Testimonial evidence
Statistical / Mathematical evidence
Presumptive evidence
Hearsay evidence
Documentation evidence
Demonstrative evidence
Circumstantial evidence
Character evidence
Analogical evidence
Anecdotal evidence
Physical evidence
Digital evidence
Direct evidence
Exculpatory evidence
Forensic evidence

Of the 15 mentioned above, the scientific method demands that evidence is limited to empirical evidence, and dismisses 10 other types of evidence. The natural sciences are required to dismiss other types of evidence that cannot be proven empirically.

To this I ask:

1. What is science?
2. Are all the types of "sciences" equal?
3. What is science based on?
4. Do different sciences base knowledge on the same principals or evidences?

[Blastcat]

[Replying to post 89 by KingandPriest]





[center]
DEFINING YOUR TERMS: Argument 101
Part Two: Failing mark[/center]

http://i-sight.com/resources/15-types-o ... stigation/

http://www.writingsimplified.com/2009/1 ... dence.html

https://www.bcps.org/offices/science/se ... idence.pdf

http://www.wheaton.edu/Academics/Servic ... f-Evidence

https://www.universalclass.com/articles ... idence.htm

Nice set of links you have there.
If that's what you consider "defining your terms", I give it a fail.

Blastcat say: "Use your words"