From: Sayke@aol.com
Date: Mon May 24 1999 - 02:18:27 MDT
In a message dated 5/23/99 10:44:55 PM PST, joedees@bellsouth.net writes:
> > The difference between hard and soft sciences
> > is far more a matter of a spectrum of increasing abstraction from the
> > root laws of the universe.
> >
> Physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology study matter and energy;
> hard sciences. Sociology, cultural anthropology, economics,
> political science study the aggregate habits of interacting people;
> soft science.
it seems to me that the differences, while quite present, are merely
matters of degree; degree of uncertainty, to be more specific.
lets say your gonna do a sociology experment: you do a survey. the
uncertanity involved stems from, at the very least, the possiblity that the
ppl you survey might be lying to you, and that there could always be a
different explanation then the one you thought of that might better fit the
data.
now lets say your gonna do a physics experment: you take some
measurements. the uncertainty involved stems from, at the very least, the
possibility that the insturments your using might be malfunctioning, and that
there could always be a different explanation then the one you thought of
that might better fit the data.
their both uncertain, of course... but its a lot easier to figure out
if an insturment is malfunctioning then it is to figure out if a person is
lying to you about the way they feel... so at root, are not both experments
at least somewhat axiomatic?
also: ive heard it said that hard sciences study 'objects', while
soft sciences study the 'interactions' of those objects... but a reason i
disagree with that is that the distenction between the 'interaction' and the
'thing itself' get really really blurry sometimes... not to mention that even
once u finally label things, its often impossible to study the 'thing'
without studying the 'interactions', and vice versa... and arnt all
'interactions' 'things', in some sense?
no, im not confused. i honestly know what im talkin about here
::coughcough:: ahem... =)
"so what did you do to celebrate 5/23? all ive gotta say is LONG LIVE THE
GREAT LATE-NIGHT SUBURBAN BANG!!!"
contemplating a certain smoldering crater,
sayke
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Fri Nov 01 2002 - 15:03:47 MST