Changes

'''Science''' (from the [[Latin]] {{lang|la|''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]].<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=science "science" defined by various dictionaries at "reference.com"]</ref><ref name="Popper 3">{{Harvard citation|Popper|1959|p=3}}</ref> 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 science#Natural sciences|natural sciences]], which study [[natural]] phenomena (including [[biology|biological life]]), and  

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

*[[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.<ref name="Popper 20">{{Harvard citation|Popper|1959|p=20}}</ref>

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.

[[Mathematics]], which is sometimes classified within a third group of science called [[formal science]], has both similarities and differences with the natural and social sciences.<ref name="Popper 3" /> It is similar to [[empirical]] sciences in that it involves an objective, careful and systematic study of an area of knowledge; it is different because of its method of verifying its knowledge, using [[A priori and a posteriori (philosophy)|a priori]] rather than empirical methods.<ref name="Popper 10">{{Harvard citation|Popper|1959|pp=10–11}}</ref> Formal science, which also includes [[statistics]] and [[logic]], is vital to the empirical sciences. Major advances in formal science have often led to major advances in the physical and biological sciences. The formal sciences are essential in the formation of [[hypotheses]], [[theories]], and [[physical law|laws]],<ref name="Popper 79">{{Harvard citation|Popper|1959|pp=79–82}}</ref> both in discovering and describing how things work (natural sciences) and how people think and act (social sciences).

[[Mathematics]], which is sometimes classified within a third group of science called [[formal science]], has both similarities and differences with the natural and social sciences.<ref name="Popper 3" /> It is similar to [[empirical]] sciences in that it involves an objective, careful and systematic study of an area of knowledge; it is different because of its method of verifying its knowledge, using [[A priori and a posteriori (philosophy)|a priori]] rather than empirical methods. Formal science, which also includes [[statistics]] and [[logic]], is vital to the empirical sciences. Major advances in formal science have often led to major advances in the physical and biological sciences. The formal sciences are essential in the formation of [[hypotheses]], [[theories]], and [[physical law|laws]], both in discovering and describing how things work (natural sciences) and how people think and act (social sciences).

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==