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From: andree@uokvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.ai
Subject: Re: Information sciences vs. physical sc - (nf)
Message-ID: <4598@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 18-Dec-83 22:47:50 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.4598
Posted: Sun Dec 18 22:47:50 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 21-Dec-83 01:23:46 EST
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#R:sdcsvax:-8400:uokvax:900007:000:1544
uokvax!andree    Dec 16 08:18:00 1983

/***** uokvax:net.ai / eosp1!robison /  4:15 am  Dec 13, 1983 */
The definitions of Science that were offered, in defense of
"computer Science" being a science, were just irrelevant.
A field can lay claim to Science, if it uses the "scientific method"
to make advances, that is:

Hypotheses are proposed.
Hypotheses are tested by objective experiments.
The experiments are objectively evaluated to prove or
	disprove the hypotheses.
The experiments are repeatable by other people in other places.

				- Keremath,  care of:
				  Robison
			          decvax!ittvax!eosp1
				  or:   allegra!eosp1
/* ---------- */

I have to disagree. Your definition of `science' excludes at least one
thing that almost certainly IS a science: astronomy. The major problem
here is that most astronomers (all extra-solar astronomers) just can not
do experiments. Which is why the call it `obervational astronomy.'

I would guess what is needed is three (at least) flavors of science:

	1) experimental sciences: physics, chemistry, biology, psychology.
	Any field that uses the `scientific method.'

	2) observational sciences: astronomy, sociology, etc. Any field that,
	for some reason or another, must be satisfied with observing
	phenomena, and cannot perform experiments.

	3) ? sciences: mathematics, some cs, probably others. Any field that
	explores the universe of the possible, as opposed to the universe of
	the actuall.

What should the ? be? I don't know. I would tend to favor `logical,' but
something tells me a lot of people will object.

	<mike