Meaning of science

Fig. 1: Knowledge is Power. Source: JI

"Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est" - "Knowledge is power"

What the English philosopher Francis Bacon (1561-1626) published as the cornerstone of scholasticism, the method of reasoning, in the Age of Enlightenment can also be reflected in subsequent scientific findings.

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"A scientific theory is only such if it can be fundamentally refuted or proven."

Science is (self-)critical and doubtful. It is an unpredictable cycle of recurring doubts, confirmations, checks and refutations.

This also applies to the idea of Karl Popper (1902-1994), British-Austrian philosopher and forefather of the principle of falsifiability.

Falsifiability= critical rationalism.; a central feature of empirical science, used to refute a previous hypothesis.

Fig. 2: Logic of Science. Source: JI

Recorded in 1934 in the book "Logik der Wissenschaft", this principle is still used today.

Scientists must always question in order to get closer to the truth. “Critical Rationalism,” founded by Popper, states that a thesis or theory is not considered definitively proven until it can be refuted by another counterthesis. This means that theses are viewed as preliminary before a counter-thesis reveals new evidence.

Theses must be subjected to ongoing critical review. So we have to doubt, confirm, check and refute again and again.

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Not all knowledge is the same

For scientific work, scientific knowledge is used, but not everyday knowledge.

Objective innovation knowledge is crucial for theories, models and methods for the simplified representation and better comprehensibility of multi-layered, complex phenomena or for helpful decision-making. Methodically controlled, verifiable data and findings contrast with subjective knowledge.

For scientific work, this means the triad of basic, applied and action sciences.

In other words, the interplay between “norms of knowledge, action and values”.

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Literature references:

Internationale Hochschule (2023); Einführung in das wissenschaftliche Arbeiten für Wirtschaft, Management und Kommunikation. Studienskript. 

Rütten, A. (2012). Macht Wissen wirklich mächtig, Zugriff am 04.10.2023. Verfügbar unter: Die Macht des Wissens - so nutzen wir es richtig (bildungsxperten.net)

Image Credit:

Fig. 1: Journalism International (JI)

Fig. 2: Journalism International (JI)