Science refers to the pursuit and application of understanding and knowledge of the social and natural world, following systematic methodologies based on evidence. Therefore, scientific knowledge is a generalized body of theories that explain behavior or phenomenon of interest, acquired using scientific methods. The scientific approaches used are precise, replicable, and falsifiable. As a result, science is not a belief field. Since scientific processes must be justifiable, skepticism plays an essential role in the search for scientific knowledge. However, scientists cannot conclusively prove a hypothesis, but there is still a need for testing claims, ideas, and beliefs for evidence-based conclusions. Unlike religion which is a “belief system,” science is a process and methodology that seeks an objective reality. It is a set of procedures and methods for critical analysis and evaluation to investigate and gather measurable, empirical, and observable evidence (Helen, 2017). Therefore, a claim or idea must be justified and right for it to be considered scientific knowledge. Conversely, although a belief-field deal with a knowledge aspect, it does not carry the scientific knowledge weight. The belief-field may rely on experiential learning learned through individual experience or traditional knowledge, which can be acquired through societal, religious, and cultural values. Also, it can depend on authoritative knowledge, which refers to ideas that are acceptable at face value, from individuals with authority, including police, parents, teachers, and doctors. Therefore, unlike science, belief knowledge is not falsifiable and testable. Competing scientists corroborate and build on other scientists’ findings to justify the claims and ideas they state (Helen, 2017). For instance, no experiments are required to demonstrate evidence that Noah lived for 600 years, as some religious individuals believe. In science, experiments were conducted to justify that the sun orbits the sun. Therefore, although both science and belief-field rely on knowledge for their claims and ideas, they are incompatible at all levels, thus proving that science is not a belief-field. Science focuses on seeking knowledge about the physical and natural world. Subsequently, it evaluates and analyzes claims for competing hypotheses to discover whether people’s feelings, guesswork, or beliefs correspond with the natural world. Therefore, methods and means employed in science must serve systematically to ensure there are no reasonable grounds for doubt. A skeptical attitude is essential for scientists, as it helps to question various beliefs and what people know. As a result, skepticism enables scientists to be objective while conducting scientific research and inquiry. A skeptical attitude forces scientists to examine claims, both scientific and other claims, to build sufficient evidence for backup (McCain, 2016). Consequently, they ensure that the scientific knowledge they use is valid and justifiable. Therefore, skepticism is essential in allowing scientists to develop logical conclusions that are supported by evidence. Although scientific processes help obtain knowledge about the physical or natural world through experimentation and testing, they cannot empirically prove anything conclusively. Research can develop numerous statements to demonstrate that the hypothesis is correct, but the conclusion is false. Further studies in later years might prove the studies that were conducted previously to support a particular claim were wrong. Therefore, no hypothesis can be conclusively proven. However, it is vital to conduct scientific tests since they help develop the best arguments and evidence-based conclusions. Also, the tests in question are an essential tool that enables scientists to navigate through complex claims and beliefs successfully (Sutherland et al., 2011). Besides, they help create a possibility of finding refuting evidence that cannot be quickly ruled out. Scientific testing helps in deepening individuals’ knowledge, which other researchers may build on to support other claims. Scientific research and tests are disciplined, organized, and rational to assist in studies and understanding; they formulate approaches that help renew different methodologies vital in making innovations. Since a research test’s primary function is to produce new knowledge and develop further questions, it is crucial to create the future or mark progress in various scientific fields (Sutherland et al., 2011). Conclusively, it is essential to conduct scientific tests even though scientists cannot conclusively prove a hypothesis.
References
Helen, D. C. (2017). Religion and Science . Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/encyclopedia/archinfo.cgi?entry=religion-science
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McCain, K. (2016). Skepticism about the external world. The Nature of Scientific Knowledge , 173-185. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33405-9_11
Sutherland, W. J., Goulson, D., Potts, S. G., & Dicks, L. V. (2011). Quantifying the impact and relevance of scientific research. PLoS ONE, 6(11), e27537. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0027537
