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A '''formal science''' is the academic study that is predominantly concerned with abstract [[formal systems]], for instance, [[logic]], [[mathematics]], and the theoretical branches of [[theoretical computer science|computer science]], [[information theory]], and [[statistics]].  

A '''formal science''' is the academic study that is predominantly concerned with abstract [[formal systems]], for instance, [[logic]], [[mathematics]], and the theoretical branches of [[theoretical computer science|computer science]], [[information theory]], and [[statistics]].  

It is arguable whether formal science is, besides [[natural science]] and [[social science]], the third branch of science and some of the disciplines of formal science like [[mathematics]] and [[statistics]] are often even referred as natural science. For instance, [[Carl Friedrich Gauss]] referred to mathematics as "the Queen of the Sciences".<ref>Waltershausen</ref> In some notable universities, e.g. [[Imperial College London]] and [[Tokyo University]], their [[Academic department|department]] of mathematics/statistics run under the [[faculty (university)|faculty]] of natural science/science.  

It is arguable whether formal science is, besides [[natural science]] and [[social science]], the third branch of science and some of the disciplines of formal science like [[mathematics]] and [[statistics]] are often even referred as natural science. For instance, [[Carl Friedrich Gauss]] referred to mathematics as "the Queen of the Sciences".<ref>Waltershausen</ref> In some notable universities, e.g. [[Imperial College London]] and [[Tokyo University]], their [[Academic department|department]] of mathematics/statistics run under the [[faculty (university)|faculty]] of natural science/science.  

However, many scholars oppose including formal science as a branch of science. They admit that formal science is a very powerful tool to natural and social science, but it does not mean formal science is science. Most importantly, they define science as the discipline using [[scientific method]] which bases on observation and [[empirical]] study. As [[knowledge]] in formal science is [[a priori and a posteriori (philosophy)|a priori]] and always constructed by rules of deduction from [[axioms]] and [[definition]] without any empirical study, they refuse to classify formal science as a branch of science.

However, many scholars oppose including formal science as a branch of science. They admit that formal science is a very powerful tool to natural and social science, but it does not mean formal science is science. Most importantly, they define science as the discipline using [[scientific method]] which bases on observation and [[empirical]] study. As [[knowledge]] in formal science is [[a priori and a posteriori (philosophy)|a priori]] and always constructed by rules of deduction from [[axioms]] and [[definition]] without any empirical study, they refuse to classify formal science as a branch of science.

==History==

''History''

 

The study of formal science began much earlier than natural science and the invention of [[scientific method]], with the most ancient mathematical texts available dates back to 1500BC-500 BC ([[ancient India]]), 1300-1200 BC ([[ancient Egypt]]), and 1800 BC ([[Mesopotamia]]). From then on different cultures such as the [[History of India|Indian]], [[Greeks|Greek]], [[Islamic]] made major contributions to mathematics.

The study of formal science began much earlier than natural science and the invention of [[scientific method]], with the most ancient mathematical texts available dates back to 1500BC-500 BC ([[ancient India]]), 1300-1200 BC ([[ancient Egypt]]), and 1800 BC ([[Mesopotamia]]). From then on different cultures such as the [[History of India|Indian]], [[Greeks|Greek]], [[Islamic]] made major contributions to mathematics.

Study on computer science and information theory did not begin until middle 20th century.

Study on computer science and information theory did not begin until middle 20th century.

==See also==

 

See also

* [[Abstraction]]

* [[Abstraction]]