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From: mack@inco.UUCP (Dave Mack)
Newsgroups: sci.philosophy.tech
Subject: Re: Definition of science and of scientific method.
Message-ID: <329@inco.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 29-Jul-87 13:40:02 EDT
Article-I.D.: inco.329
Posted: Wed Jul 29 13:40:02 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 31-Jul-87 06:34:59 EDT
References: <6693@allegra.UUCP> <1664@tekcrl.TEK.COM> <1084@aecom.YU.EDU> <2385@ames.arpa.R>
Organization: McDonnell Douglas-INCO, McLean, VA
Lines: 30
Summary: The difference between science and philosophy is...


	Science:
		uses a formal language (mathematics) which is susceptible
		to analysis.
		deals with observable phenomena.
		proceeds from a relatively small number of explicitly
		stated axioms.
		examples: physics, chemistry, mathematics (?)

	Parascience (for lack of a better word):
		violates one or more of the conditions for "science."
		examples: psychology, social science, parapsychology

	Philosophy:
		uses an informal (natural) language which is not susceptible
		to analysis.
		does not necessarily deal with observable phenomena
		proceeds from an arbitrary number of explicit and implicit
		axioms.

Of course, this is merely my philosophy. Feel free to disagree with me.
-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Dave Mack  (from Mack's Bedroom :<)
  McDonnell Douglas-Inco, Inc. 		DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed
  8201 Greensboro Drive                 are my own and in no way reflect the
  McLean, VA 22102			views of McDonnell Douglas or its
  (703)883-3911				subsidiaries.
  ...!seismo!sundc!hadron!inco!mack
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