Re: New science section
In article <199911191647.LAA01384@mixing.qc.dfo.ca>,
Peter S Galbraith <GalbraithP@dfo-mpo.gc.ca> wrote:
>
>I wrote:
>
>> Math should have (IMHO):
>> spreadsheet programs
>> heavy math research tools
>> Calculators
>> Geometry stuff
>> Statistical tools should be in math.
>> MathLab-like stuff.
>>
>> Science should have:
>> netcdf
>> data plotters
>
>Not an exhaustive list, of course. `science' should of course
>get all the `heavy science' stuff that few people understand.
>
>This brings up the point that `math' is a science, and perhaps
>the `heavy' research-oriented math and geometry packages could
>also move to science, leaving `math' with math libraries,
>spreadsheets, calculators, MathLab stuff, statistical packages,
>etc.
>
>
>Peter
Definition of science courtesy of www.dictionary.com...
Dictionary.com/science (p2 of 13)
8 entries found.
_________________________________________________________________
sci·ence (s [imacr.gif] [prime.gif] [schwa.gif] ns)
n. Abbr. sc., sci.
1.
a. The observation, identification, description,
experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation
of phenomena.
b. Such activities restricted to a class of natural
phenomena.
c. Such activities applied to an object of inquiry or
study.
2. Methodological activity, discipline, or study: I've got
packing a suitcase down to a science.
3. An activity that appears to require study and method: the
science of purchasing.
4. Knowledge, especially that gained through experience.
5. Science. Christian Science.
So how is math a science? Well, let's go through each item and see
whether or not math fits in with the description.
1 a) experimental investigation? Is that math? Arguably the discovery of
lemma and such may involve experimentation but that leads to
2 items involved, the discovery of math and math itself.
1 b) Doesn't really describe math.
1 c + 2 + 3 + 4) Vague isn't it? In that case, then law, accounting, and even
knitting is a science. Heck, just about every field of study
is a science. The science of administration, the science of
hamradio, the science of electronics, the science of semantics,
and so on...
5) I sure hope not!
My conclusion is, if you want to use a very generic definition of
science, then I can argue that just about everything should go under
science.
In general, the very field of mathematics has alot of differences from
sciences, and by sciences I'm referring to chemistry, biology, physics,
kinesiology, astronomy and so such. Mathematics provides the fundamental
foundations for alot of sciences.
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