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'''Science''' (from the [[Latin]] ''scientia'', '[[knowledge]]') is a system of acquiring knowledge based on the [[scientific method]], as well as the organized body of [[knowledge]] gained through such [[research]].[http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=science "science" defined by various dictionaries at "reference.com"] Science as defined here is sometimes termed [[pure science]] to differentiate it from [[applied science]], which is the application of scientific research to specific human needs.

'''Science''' (from the [[Latin]] ''scientia'', '[[knowledge]]') is a system of acquiring knowledge based on the [[scientific method]], as well as the organized body of [[knowledge]] gained through such [[research]].[http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=science "science" defined by various dictionaries at "reference.com"] Science as defined here is sometimes termed 'pure science' to differentiate it from [[applied science]], which is the application of scientific research to specific human needs.

Fields of science are commonly classified along two major lines:  

Fields of science are commonly classified along two major lines:  

*[[natural science#Natural sciences|natural sciences]], which study [[natural]] phenomena (including [[biology|biological life]]), and  

*[[Natural Sciences|natural sciences]], which study [[natural]] phenomena (including [[biology|biological life]]), and  

*[[social sciences]], which study [[human behavior]] and [[society|societies]].  

*[[Social Sciences|social sciences]], which study [[human behavior]] and [[society|societies]].  

These groupings are [[empirical]] sciences, which means the knowledge must be based on [[observable]] [[phenomena]] and capable of being tested for its validity by other researchers working under the same conditions.

These groupings are [[empirical]] sciences, which means the knowledge must be based on [[observable]] [[phenomena]] and capable of being tested for its validity by other researchers working under the same conditions.

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

The word '''science''' comes through the [[Old French]], and is derived from the [[Latin]] word {{lang|la|''scientia''}} for [[knowledge]], which in turn comes from {{lang|la|''scio''}}. 'I know'. The [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] root means to discern or to separate, akin to [[Sanskrit]] {{transl|sa|''chyati''}}, he cuts off, [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] {{transl|grc|''schizein''}}, to split, Latin {{lang|la|''scindere''}}, to split. [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=science&searchmode=none Etymology of "science" at Etymology Online] From the [[Middle Ages]] to the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]], ''science'' or ''scientia'' meant any systematic recorded knowledge, The Natures of Science, Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, ISBN 0838633218 ''Science'' therefore had the same sort of very broad meaning that ''[[philosophy]]'' had at that time. In other languages, including French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian, the word corresponding to ''science'' also carries this meaning.

The word '''science''' comes through the [[Old French]], and is derived from the [[Latin]] word ''scientia'' for [[knowledge]], which in turn comes from ''scio''. 'I know'. The [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] root means to discern or to separate, akin to [[Sanskrit]] ''chyati'', he cuts off, [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] ''schizein'', to split, Latin ''scindere''}}, to split. [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=science&searchmode=none Etymology of "science" at Etymology Online] From the [[Middle Ages]] to the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]], ''science'' or ''scientia'' meant any systematic recorded knowledge, The Natures of Science, Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, ISBN 0838633218 ''Science'' therefore had the same sort of very broad meaning that ''[[philosophy]]'' had at that time. In other languages, including French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian, the word corresponding to ''science'' also carries this meaning.

From classical times until the advent of the modern era, "philosophy" was roughly divided into [[natural philosophy]] and [[moral philosophy]]. In the 1800s, the term ''natural philosophy'' gradually gave way to the term ''[[natural science]]''. Natural science was gradually specialized to its current domain, which typically includes the [[physical science]]s and [[biological science]]s. The [[social sciences]], inheriting portions of the realm of moral philosophy, are currently also included under the auspices of science to the extent that these disciplines use [[empirical method]]s. As currently understood, [[moral philosophy]] still retains the study of [[ethics]], regarded as a branch of philosophy.

From classical times until the advent of the modern era, "philosophy" was roughly divided into [[natural philosophy]] and [[moral philosophy]]. In the 1800s, the term ''natural philosophy'' gradually gave way to the term ''[[natural science]]''. Natural science was gradually specialized to its current domain, which typically includes the [[physical science]]s and [[biological science]]s. The [[social sciences]], inheriting portions of the realm of moral philosophy, are currently also included under the auspices of science to the extent that these disciplines use [[empirical method]]s. As currently understood, [[moral philosophy]] still retains the study of [[ethics]], regarded as a branch of philosophy.

Today, the primary meaning of "science" is generally limited to [[empirical]] study involving use of the scientific method.<ref>See, e.g. [http://www.thefreedictionary.com/science]. The first usage, which is fairly representative of standard dictionaries today, describes science as: "'''a.''' The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena. '''b.''' Such activities restricted to a class of natural phenomena.  '''c.''' Such activities applied to an object of inquiry or study." From the American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Today, the primary meaning of "science" is generally limited to [[empirical]] study involving use of the scientific method. See, e.g. [http://www.thefreedictionary.com/science]. The first usage, which is fairly representative of standard dictionaries today, describes science as: "'''a.''' The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena. '''b.''' Such activities restricted to a class of natural phenomena.  '''c.''' Such activities applied to an object of inquiry or study." From the American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

==Scientific method==

==Scientific method==