Science
The process or means to change or to understand
Scientific discovery
The process of ‘discoveries’ have almost always been serendipitous. A keen observer explores various possibilities. He stumbles up on a solution, probably for an unknown problem. Later on the ‘solution’ starts attracting Certain ‘problems’. eg:- discovery of penicillin.
As of today we have got no evidence to suggest that there is a physical or social truth out there. Discoveries of Science do not seem to take us towards any ultimate truth. The very foundation of science,i.e., Falsification, presupposes the absence of any ultimate truth. In that sense, as per science, the world we see today including us, is the by-product of a series of serendipitous shocks without any design or purpose or truth behind it.
What is scientific understanding?
Scientific understanding can be considered as a systematic over Simplification of our beliefs, moving towards more comfortable ones from lesser ones. It is a kind of platonification exercise to improve our physical & mental well being .
This makes Science very similar to art & religion.
Difference between science and religion
Only fundamental difference is the method of Science
i.e., Falsification based on empirical scepticism.
Art, religion etc. are totalitarian and dogmatic and requires lot of violence to bring about a change.
In science, when facts changes, Opinion changes. It thrives on the unknown unknown, always looking outside the given book.
This does not mean, science will take me to ‘a’ particular’ultimate’ truth.
Limitation of science
A very important limitation of Scientific method is the very fact that it presupposes rationality of human mind & perception. While this could be true, we should be open to the idea that the whole process could be an illusion arising out of a confirmation bias.