The Five Tenants of the Nature of Science

Tenant 1: The Tentative Nature of Scientific Knowledge

Scientific knowledge in not concrete nor perfect. Rather it is subject to change, in the light of new evidence or new interpretation of existing evidence. Due to the tentative nature of science we cannot claim science as absolutely true. The tentative nature of scientific knowledge also means that laws and theories may change.

Tenant 1: The Empirical Nature of Science

  • Science is based on and derives from empirical evidence (observations of the world around us from which interpretations are made).

  • Scientists depend on empirical evidence to produce scientific knowledge.

    • New evidence brings the revision of scientific knowledge.

  • Any scientific explanation must be consistent with empirical evidence.

Tenant 2: The Inferential, Imaginative, and Creative Nature of Science

  • All observations require interpretation and inference by scientists.

  • To interpret and infer on observations scientists are required to use creativity and imagination e.g., making sense of observations, making the creative leap to possible explanation, coming up with new ideas, designing investigations and looking at old data in a new light.

Tenant 3: The Subjective and Theory-Laden Nature of Science

  • All observation is preceded by theory and conceptual knowledge, which illicit subjective observation.

  • Although scientists strive to be objective, it is not possible to make truly objective observations and interpretations without any bias i.e., different scientists can interpret the same datasets differently.

  • Scientists are subjective due to their prior knowledge, theoretical beliefs, experiences, cultural background, training, expectations and biases; each of which will affect their observations and conclusions.

  • Science combats subjectivity through the scientific community, which scrutinizes scientific work and helps balance individual scientist’s leanings.

Tenant 4: The Socially and Culturally Embedded Nature of Science

  • Social and cultural elements such as politics, economics, power structures, religion and philosophy will affect the science knowledge produced and how it is accepted.

  • Science changes to reflect shifts in society and its priorities.

    • Ex. During the first half of the 20th century, two world wars dominated society so governments made funding available for research with wartime applications. Science moved in that direction and nuclear energy was unlocked.

Conclusion

Each tenant is related and interconnected.