Fundamental science

Fundamental science (pure science) is science that describes the most basic objects, forces, relations between them and laws governing them, such that all other phenomena may be in principle derived from them following the logic of scientific reductionism. Biology, chemistry and physics are fundamental sciences; engineering is not. There is a difference between fundamental science and applied science (or practical science). Fundamental science, in contrast to applied science, is defined as a fundamental knowledge it develops. The progress of fundamental science is based on well controlled experiments and careful observation. Fundamental science is dependent upon deductions from demonstrated truths, or is studied without regard to practical applications. Fundamental science has traditionally been associated with the natural sciences, however, research in the social and behavioral sciences can be deemed fundamental (e.g., cognitive neuroscience, personality).

See also

• Fundamental research
• Philosophy of science
• Scientific method
• Hard science vs. Soft science

Further reading

• Henry James Clarke, The fundamental science. 1885.