We explain what the exact sciences are, what their characteristics are and how they differ from the social and human sciences. Also, what careers do they include.
What are the exact sciences?
The exact sciences are those scientific disciplines whose results and approaches can be expressed quantitatively and with a significant margin of precision and reliability. That is, these are the natural or experimental sciences, such as physics or chemistry.
However, This is an outdated scientific classification.which is still used in popular speech or, sometimes, as a synonym for mathematics. Contemporary academia understands that no scientific knowledge is completely accurate and irrefutable, since the sciences update themselves as new technologies and new methods of study emerge.
On the other hand, the terms “exact sciences” and “hard sciences” are based on the assumption that some forms of scientific knowledge are more rigorous than others. In reality, all branches of science have a certain degree of fallibility and also offer a certain degree of certainty.
In that sense, no science is truly exact, with the exception of the formal scienceslike mathematics or logic, whose results are exact within a certain scheme of thought.
- See also: Factual sciences
Characteristics of the exact sciences
The exact sciences are characterized by the following:
- Your perspectives are quantitative. Its results can be expressed in quantities, that is, using mathematical language.
- They can predict results with a high margin of accuracy. For example, in chemical reactions or physical interactions, it is possible to determine the result in advance with relative accuracy.
- They test their hypotheses rigorously. Normally, they test their hypotheses through experimentation, that is, direct observation of the phenomena studied in a controlled environment.
- Their results leave no room for interpretation.. The result of an experiment can always be one, with no room for subjectivity.
Differences between exact, social and human sciences
Normally, when referring to the exact sciences, reference is made to natural or experimental sciences, that is, those that study the nature of the universe or those that test their hypotheses through experimentation. These fundamental features are what determine its “accuracy” and are precisely what other types of scientific disciplines lack.
The differences between exact, social and human sciences (or humanities) can be summarized as follows:
| exact sciences | social sciences | human sciences |
|---|---|---|
| They study the nature of the universe. | They study human societies and their history. | They study human beings and their way of thinking. |
| Its results are expressed in quantities. | Your results may or may not be expressed in quantities. | Its results are not usually expressed in quantities. |
| Their results do not lend themselves to interpretation. | Their results usually require further interpretation. | Its results consist of the interpretation of human speeches. |
| They test their hypotheses experimentally. | They test their hypotheses through field studies. | They verify their hypotheses through argumentation and documentary support. |
| For example: physics, chemistry and mathematics. | For example: sociology, anthropology and economics. | For example: psychology, geography and literary criticism. |
- social sciences
- Humanities
Exact science careers
The following disciplines of study have traditionally been considered part of the exact sciences:
- Materials science.
- Biomedical engineering.
- Engineering, in its various branches.
- Physics.
- Computing.
- Chemistry.
- Electronics.
- Math.
- Robotics.
- Information technologies.
- Geophysics.
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References
- Frappier, M., Brown, D., & DiSalle, R. (Eds.). (2012). Analysis and Interpretation in the Exact Sciences. Springer Science & Business Media.
- Ortíz Uribe, FG (2003). Dictionary of scientific research methodology. Limusa.
