We explain what factual or empirical sciences are, what their branches are and how they are classified.
What are factual sciences?
Factual or factual sciences, also called empirical sciences, are those that They are dedicated to understanding, explaining and predicting events that take place in reality . In this they are distinguished from the formal sciences, whose object of study is systems of representation and thought.
This important relationship with reality is already suggested in the name of the factual or empirical sciences: “factual” comes from the term factum from Latin, which translates as “facts”; while “empirical” comes from the Greek empiricwhich translates as “experience.”
The factual sciences They propose to create theoretical models of reality which can then be subjected to experimental verification. Its purpose is to formulate a mental representation of the natural phenomena that it intends to study, in order to understand the forces and mechanisms that intervene in them.
A good example of factual sciences is chemistry, whose object of study is matter. Based on the observation of the behavior of substances, chemists throughout history have proposed different atomic models that explain their properties. These models are subsequently subjected to experimental verification through the scientific method.
The factual sciences, however, use logic and formal languages as tools to express their perspectives. Hence, for example, the natural sciences frequently turn to mathematics.
On the other hand, Through factual or empirical sciences, normally transitory results are obtained that is, accepted with the understanding that a new discovery can always call them into question or change the way in which they have been previously interpreted.
Types of factual sciences
There are two categories of factual sciences:
- The natural sciences . They are those who are interested in understanding the dynamics of nature's functioning, both living beings and inanimate matter. Its purpose is to find the universal laws about life and the universe. Biology, chemistry, and physics are examples of the natural sciences.
- The social sciences . They are those that are interested in human phenomena from a scientific perspective, such as the constitution of the human mind, the history of civilizations or the rules of economics. Anthropology, psychology and economics are examples of social sciences.
Examples of factual sciences
Some examples of factual or empirical sciences are the following:
biology
Biology is the science dedicated to study of the kingdoms of life (vegetable, animal, fungal and microscopic), as well as the relationships that arise between the different existing living beings.
The chemistry
Chemistry is the science that study the subject : its constitution, its transformations and the reactions that can occur between the different known substances.
The physics
Physics is the science that studies the fundamental forces of nature that is, those that interact with matter and energy.
Economic sciences or economics
Economics is the social science that studies the obtaining and administration of resources in societies, in order to satisfy human needs.
Political science or political science
Political science is the social science that studies community management systems and government in different societies and at different times in history.
psychology
Psychology is the science that studies the processes of formation and functioning of the human mind as well as learning dynamics and mental illnesses.
sociology
Sociology is the social science that studies human societies and their historical-social contexts understood as systems whose patterns, elements and trends can be recognizable.
Legal sciences or law
Law is the social science that study the justice that is, the mechanisms and ways in which human societies judge themselves and shape their ethical and legal codes.
The story
History is the social science that studies the past of civilization from sources that have endured over time. Its starting point is considered the invention of writing.
Differences between factual and formal sciences
Factual sciences are distinguished from formal sciences in different aspects, such as:
| Factual sciences | formal sciences | |
|---|---|---|
| Study object | The facts and phenomena that occur in reality. | The abstract systems with which human beings mentally represent reality. |
| Purpose | Create a mental representation as close as possible to reality in order to understand and predict it. | Demonstrate the universal validity of certain formal reasoning that has no contact with reality. |
| Method | Empirical-analytical (allows deduction, induction and abduction). | Deductive (never inductive or abductive). |
| Mental models | They seek to ensure that their mental models are consistent with the real phenomenon they describe. | They seek the perfection of their mental reasoning, that is, their theorems and axioms. |
| Testing | They can always be verified experimentally. | They cannot be verified experimentally, but logically. |
| Demonstration | Their demonstrations are incomplete and partial, that is, they depend on the moment and the circumstances. | Their demonstrations are complete and final, that is, they do not depend on the moment and circumstances. |
| Subclassification | Natural sciences (which study nature) and social sciences (which study society). | They do not present subclassifications. |
| Examples | Biology, chemistry and physics. | Mathematics, logic and statistics. |
References
- Bunge, M. (2000). Scientific research: its strategy and philosophy. 21st century.
- Mello, E. (2007). Science methodology. Module IV. National University of Río Cuarto.
- Ortíz, F. (2003). Dictionary of scientific research methodology. Limousine Publishing.
