"Concepts of Modern Natural Science" Lecture 6. Specificity and nature of Modern Science

1. 1. The main features of
modern natural science as a
science.
2. Classical Science and
Science of the XXI century.
3. The crisis of modern
Science. Post-nonclassical
Science.
4. The newest revolution in
Science.
5. Structure of Natural
Science.
P l a n

2. Natural science is a complex
of Sciences about Nature World
This definition does not fully reflect the essence of Natural Science,
because Nature acts as a single whole.
This unity is not revealed by any particular science and not by their sum.
The concept of Nature can be explain differently.
1. In the broadest sense, Nature means all things, the whole World in the
diversity of its forms. Nature in this sense stands in line with the concepts
of Matter, the Universe.
2. The most common interpretation of the concept of “Nature” as a set of
natural conditions for the existence of human society.
Modern Natural Science develops new approaches to understanding Nature
as a whole. This is expressed in ideas about:
 the development of Nature;
 the different forms of motion of Matter;
 the various structural levels of the Nature organization;
 expanding view about types of causal relationships.

3. Use scientific
methods for
study of
human
behavior and
social patterns
Social
Science
(Psychology,
Sociology,
Economics,
etc.)
Use a priori
knowledge for
study of formal
systems
Formal and
Technical
Science
(Mathematics,
Logic,
Statistics, etc.)
Use the
concrete
knowledge for
study World
Scientific
Picture
Natural
Science
(Physics,
Astronomy,
Chemistry,
Biology,
Geology,
Geography)
Three Divisions of Science

4. 1.The mechanistic and metaphysical nature of classical science was
replaced by new dialectical attitudes of universal communication and
development.
2.Mechanics is not a leading science and a universal method of studying
natural phenomena.
3.The classical model of the World – “clock” mechanism – was replaced by
the World model of “Thought activity” (systemic approach and global
evolutionism method).
4.The metaphysical basis of Classical Science (each subject must be
studied in isolation, as special and completed) don’t use now.
5.The World is understood as a set of different-level systems in a state of
hierarchical subordination.
6.At each level of the Matter organization works special regularities.
7.Analytical activity (basis of Classical Science) gave way to synthetic
tendencies (system-integrated study of objects and phenomena).
8.Confidence in the existence of the ultimate limit of Matter, the desire to
find the ultimate material basics was replaced by the conviction that it is
impossible to do this (the inexhaustibility of Matter in depth).
9.Obtaining the absolute truth is considered impossible; truth is considered
relative, existing in a variety of theories, which are studied own reality
slice.
The main features
of modern Natural Science as a Science

5. The named features of
modern science have
found their embodiment in
new theories and
concepts that have
emerged in all areas of
Natural Science.
Among the important
scientific achievements
of the twentieth
century are: the theory
of relativity, quantum
mechanics, nuclear
physics, physical
interaction; a New
Cosmology based on
the theory of the Big
Bang; evolutionary
chemistry, striving to
master the experience
of Live Nature; the
discovery of many
mysteries of Life in
Biology, etc.
The true triumph of
Nonclassical Science was
Cybernetics, embodying the
ideas of the systemic
approach, as well as
Synergetics and Nonstable
Thermodynamics based on the
method of Global Evolutionism.

6. The most important characteristic of
Classical Science is Mechanistic – the
representation of the World as a machine, a
gigantic mechanism that clearly operates
based on the eternal and immutable laws
of Mechanics
It is no accident that the
most common model of the
universe was a huge
clockwork
Mechanics was the
standard for any Science,
which scientists build on
this model
It was also considered as a
universal method for
studying surrounding
phenomena
This was expressed in the
desire to reduce any
processes in the World
(physical and chemical,
biological, social) to simple
mechanical movements
Such a reduction of the higher to the
lower, the explanation of complex as a
simple were called Reductionism

7. Another feature of
Classical Science
was Metaphysics –
the consideration
of Nature as an
undeveloped
whole, unchanged
Each object or
phenomenon was
studied separately
from others, their
connections with
other objects were
ignored
So were developed
a strong anti-
evolutionist
positions of
Classical Science

8. Strange features of Classical Science
were most clearly manifested in the
Natural Science of the eighteenth
century, creating many theories almost
forgotten by Modern Science
Scientists of the 18th century created
“teachings about weightless” –
electrical and magnetic fluids, teplorod,
phlogiston as special substances that
provide electrical, magnetic, thermal
properties, and also the ability to burn
Among the most significant
achievements of Natural Science of the
XVIII century must be noted the
development of atomic-molecular ideas
about the structure of Matter and
formation of the foundations for
Experimental Science about Electricity

9. The revolutionary discoveries of Natural
Science were the principles of Non-Euclidean
Geometry by K. Gauss, the concept of Entropy
and the second law of Thermodynamics by R.
Clausius, the periodic law of chemical
elements by D. Mendeleyev, the theory of
natural selection by Ch. Darwin and
A.R. Wallace, genetic theory by
G. Mendel, electromagnetic theory by
D. Maxwell
Natural Science have turned into a
systematized science about objects
and processes, its genesis and
development

10.  A whole series of remarkable discoveries
destroyed the whole Classical Scientific
Picture of the World.
 In 1888 the German scientist G. Hertz
discovered electromagnetic waves,
brilliantly confirming the prediction of D.
Maxwell.
 In 1895, V. Roentgen discovered rays, later
named X-rays, which were short-wave
electromagnetic radiation.
 The study of the nature of these mysterious
rays, capable of penetrating through opaque
bodies, led D. Thompson to the discovery of
the first elementary particle - the electron.

11. Work place
of Scientist:
In past time
In present time

13. Modern Natural Science has a
problematic, interdisciplinary focus
For solving the complex problems
are used a combination of different
Natural Sciences for each specific
case of researches
Special feature of Post-non-classical
Science is growing integration of
Natural, Technical and Human
Sciences

14. In analyzing the features of
modern Natural Science, it
should be noted such a
fundamental feature as the
impossibility of free
experimentation with objects
(fundamental researches)
A real Natural
Science
Experiment can be
dangerous for
people's life and
health
The powerful
natural forces
awakened by
modern Science
and Technology
are capable to
initiate the
dangerous local,
regional and
global crises and
catastrophes

15. Researchers note that modern
Natural Science is organically
increasingly fused with the
production, technique and life of
people, turning into an
important factor of the
civilization progress
It is not limited of individual
“cabinet” scientist researches,
but includes the complex teams
of researchers from different
scientific fields
In the process of research
activities, representatives of
various natural disciplines are
understood that the Universe is
a systemic integrity with the yet
inadequately understandable
laws of development and global
paradoxes
Methods of system dynamics,
synergetics, game theory,
program-target management as
the basis for forecasts for the
assessment of complex natural
processes are used

16. All changes are taking
place within the
framework of the new
Global Scientific
Revolution, which be
completed by the middle
of the 21st century

17. Since the second half of the twentieth century of
the researchers record the entry of Natural
Science into a new stage of development – Post-
Non-Classical, which is characterized by a number
of new fundamental principles and forms of
organization.
Evolutionism
Cosmism
Ecologiezm
Anthropic principle
Holism/humanism

18. Structure of Natural Science
Modern Natural Science
represents a branch of Science
based on empirical testing of
hypotheses and creation of
theories or empirical
generalizations describing
natural phenomena.
The cumulative object of
Natural Science is Nature.
The subject of Natural Science –
facts and phenomena of Nature,
which are perceived by the
senses directly or indirectly,
with the help of instruments.

19. The task of the Scientist is to identify and
generalize the facts, create a theoretical model
that includes the laws manage the phenomena of
Nature.
For example, the phenomenon of Gravitation is a
concrete fact, established through experience;
the law of Universal Gravitation is a variant of
explanation.
 Empirical facts and generalizations retain their
original significance.
 Laws can be changed in the course of Science
development.
For example, the law of Universal gravitation
was corrected after creation of Relativity theory.

20. The basic principle of Natural Science:
knowledge about Nature must allow
for an empirical test !
Experience is the decisive argument
for adopting a theory.
Modern Natural Science
is a complex of Natural Sciences.
It includes Sciences: Biology, Physics, Chemistry,
Astronomy, Geography, Ecology, etc.

21. Natural Sciences differ
according to subject of study
For example:
The subject of Biology –
live organisms, Chemistry –
substances and their
transformations.
Astronomy studies
celestial bodies,
Geography – a special
(geographic) shell of the
Earth, Ecology – the
relationship of organisms
with each other and with
the Environment.

22. Every Natural Science is
a complex of Sciences
that have arisen at
different stages in the
development
of Natural Science.
 For example, Biology
includes Botany, Zoology,
Microbiology, Genetics,
Cytology and other
Sciences.
 The subject of studying
Botany – plants, Zoology –
animals, Microbiology –
microorganisms.
 Genetics studies the laws
of heredity and variability of
organisms, Cytology – a live
cell.
 Chemistry is divided into a
number of narrower
sciences: Organic
Chemistry, Inorganic
Chemistry, Analytical
Chemistry.
 Geographical sciences
include Geology, Geography,
Geomorphology,
Climatology, Physical
Geography.

23. The differentiation of Sciences has led to the allocation
of smaller areas of scientific knowledge.
For example, the Biological Science of Zoology includes
Ornithology, Entomology, Herpetology, Ethology,
Ichthyology, and so on.
Ornithology – Science about birds; Entomology - Science
about insects; Herpetology - Science about reptiles;
Ethology – Science about the behavior of animals;
Ichthyology studies fish.

25. The current trend in development of Natural
Science – along with the differentiation of
scientific knowledge there are opposite
processes – combination of individual areas of
knowledge and formation of synthetic scientific
disciplines.
It is important that the unification of scientific
disciplines takes place both within different fields
of Natural Science, and between them.
For example, in Chemistry at the interface of
Organic Chemistry with Inorganic and
Biochemistry, Chemistry of organometallic
compounds and Bioorganic chemistry arose.
Examples of inter-scientific synthetic disciplines
in Natural Science: Physical Chemistry, Chemical
Physics, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Physico-
chemical Biology.

26. In science, there are fundamental and applied sciences.
Fundamental sciences – Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy –
study the basic structures of the World.
Applied sciences applying the results of basic
researches in decision of cognitive and social-practical
problems.
For example, the Physics of metals and Physics of
semiconductors are Theoretical Disciplines, and
Metallurgy, Semiconductor technology – Applied
Sciences.
Cognition of nature’s laws
and construction of World’s
picture is immediate aim of
Natural Science.
Promoting the practical use
of laws is the finale aim.

27. Natural Science differs from Social and Technical
Sciences in the subject, objectives and
methodology of research.
Natural Science is regarded as the standard of
scientific objectivity, because it reveals
universally valid truths.
For example, another large complex of sciences –
Social Studies – was associated with group values
and interests.

28. Natural Science has
methodological differences from
the Technical Sciences,
because the goal of the
Technical Sciences is the
solution of questions connected
with World’s transformation
It is impossible to
draw a line between
the Natural, Social
and Technical
Sciences, because
there are a number
of disciplines that
occupy an
intermediate
position or can be
complex
In field between
the Natural and Social
Sciences are developed
the Economic Geography

29. Natural Science is the basiсs
for formation of World scientific picture.
World scientific picture is an integral system
of ideas about the World, its general properties
and regularities.

30. World scientific picture is in
constant development.
In the course of scientific
revolutions, qualitative
transformations take place.
Each historical epoch
forms a new World
scientific picture.

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