HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE/HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

I-DEFINITIONS & CLASSIFICATION OF SCIENCE Deinition On the simplest level, deined as the knowledge of the world of nature. Human investigative endeavour (HIE) whose object is the natural world and natural phenomena A tool developed and employed to interrogate the natural world However, science generally is viewed in three main ways as; i. A method for acquiring knowledge or studying and understanding the world. o The steps of that method includes; observation, problem deinition, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, conclusion and theory formulation. [OPHECT] ii.A body of knowledge. o The bodies of knowledge generally regarded as science includes; chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, microbiology, pharmacy and medicine. iii. An institution. o Science can be viewed as an institution which comprises millions of science experts who are found in various research and educational institutions, industries, hospitals, companies, etc. o Cooperation and interaction among the experts make the development of science possible and reliable. Brief on Background of Science and Branches of Science GROUPA-Based on Learning/study approach The two branches of science are; i. Formal sciences Formal science utilizes concepts, rules and theories (CRT), expressed in a quantitative and statistical manner. Formal sciences have a strict and deductive character. Formal sciences include mathematics-comprises geometry, algebra, trigonometry, arithmetic, logic, theoretical physics, and statistics. Example-BODMAS ii. Empirical Sciences – These study objects and phenomena which can be observed through any of the senses and can be tested with instruments such as the telescope, microscope, ruler, tapes and scales. In other words, anything that cannot be observed with the senses of sight, touch, hearing, taste and smell or with instruments such as ruler, telescope, etc. is outside science. Example movement pattern of beasts, birds and reptiles etc Empirical sciences include; physics, chemistry, biology, botany, zoology, biochemistry, microbiology, geology, medical sciences, etc.