Physical Science

Physical science, also termed natural or hard science, is concerned with the scientific study of such things as atoms, planets, wildlife, and continental drift and includes the disciplines of physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology, and geology, among others. These sciences are what most often come to mind when the word science is used.

The Only Science?

However, science is not "what" so much as "how." Physical sciences make use of the scientific method to describe and explain particular physical aspects of the world. Social sciences make use of the scientific method to describe and explain particular social aspects of the world. Both are valid areas of scientific inquiry.

No Science of Society?

• Experiments: Social sciences are not as easily studied using controlled laboratory experiments, as with chemistry and physics. The definitive tests needed to produce clear-cut scientific laws are often difficult to obtain. A chemist might be able to test a hypothesis in a matter of hours through a controlled experiment. An economist might have to wait years or even decades for the right mix of events needed to test a hypothesis.

• Behavior: The study of human behavior can easily affect the behavior under study. That is, people are prone to act differently if they know they are being studied and by making use of the results of the study. Stars are unaware that they are being studied when viewed through a telescope hundreds of light years away. Consumers, however, are often aware that they are being studied when asked about their buying habits. Such awareness among humans can influence the results of a study.

• Values: Social sciences are not free of subjective values and are often used as a basis to achieve political, cultural, or social goals. Social scientists are often just as interested in improving the world as in understanding it. As such, it can be difficult to separate the politically-charged subjective rhetoric from the objective scientific facts. What appears to be a scientific study might be little more than a smoke screen of political propaganda.

A Rebuttal

• Experiments: The ability or inability to conduct controlled laboratory experiments is a part of any science. Astronomers cannot control the movement of stars and planets. Like economists, they too must wait for events to occur. Moreover, social scientists (including economists) have made effective use of controlled laboratory type experiments to develop scientific laws.

• Behavior: Physical scientists are increasingly aware that they too can affect the physical phenomena studied. For example, shining light on a photon (which is the packet of energy that makes light) can affect the behavior and properties of the photon.

• Values: Subjective values also enter into the physical sciences. Theories of astronomy generally build on a preconceived belief about the existence of a supreme being. Biological theories reflect the ongoing political debate between biblical creation and evolution.

A Young Science