Science Definition

These are foundational definitions for understanding science and science fiction stated here for the non-scientist. The most important concept here is that science theories are not facts.

Science

Science tries to explain the world around us in a way that we can understand. This applies primarily to phenomenon we observe indirectly like earthquakes and micro-organisms. We feel the earth quake, but we can’t directly observe the cause. Micro-organisms require instruments to observe.

Fact

A fact is an agreed upon definition, a recordable measurement, or a basic observation of our world. The definition of meter is a fact. The elevation of Mt. Everest is a fact.

Law

A scientific law generalizes observations to make predictions without explaining why. Newton’s Law of Gravity predicts falling objects and planetary motion, but does not tell us why.

Hypotheses

Like a guess. A scientist makes a guess based on observations before writing a theory.

Theory

A scientific theory is like a story trying to explain the observable science. A theory explains why. This story must include verifiable predictions. After predictions hold true, the theory is accepted. It’s still not a fact. Theories change as more knowledge accumulates.

Reality

We observe real things directly or indirectly using our senses. We feel earthquakes indirectly through direct shaking. We see galaxies indirectly using a telescope. This means that before telescopes, galaxies weren’t real. Long ago micro-organisms weren’t part of our reality.

One may argue micro-organisms and galaxies were always there. Sorry, they weren’t real then. This is the definition intended in posts on this blog.

Science Fiction

Science is crucial to the plot of a science fiction story. The science may be nearly fantastical, loosely implied, but it should be based on science and important to the story.

Simply including spaceships does not make it science fiction.

Star Wars is a fantasy or space opera. Some include space opera and other sub-categories under the sci-fi genre, but may also fall within the realm of fantasy, depending on how you look at it.

Here at DracoTorre.com, science fiction must include science as part of the plot. Otherwise, we may call it fantasy even if the fantasy contains science, which we could call science-fantasy.

Learn more: Pandora’s Hope: Essays on the Realities of Science Studies by Bruno Latour.