Introduction
Science is any branch of study which employs scientific method. So it's not the subject matter but the method of study which determines whether a subject is science or not. There are many ways through which there can be knowledge of anything. One can have the knowledge of monsoon from an expert on meteorology. On the other hand, the same monsoon can be known through the prediction of the elder of a village community. Through religious scriptures, one can have the knowledge of God. The socialization of an individual determines his view or knowledge about the society around him. So we can have know about the phenomena around us employing different kind of methods like consulting elders, consulting some religious books, consulting experts or even through own intuition. Similarly, Scientific method is a method to gain knowledge about phenomena around us but this method is distinct from all other methods in that it employs a pre-determined logic and rationality based direct approach towards study. Scientific method is based on direct and systematic empirical observation and verification of phenomena. It is this approach which distinguishes it from other methods of observation.
Critique
The most direct criticism is that we cannot have knowledge of each and everything from direct observations. For Example, How much does a mother loves her child can hardly be observed. So, Most of the faith-based phenomena can be taken out of the purview of Scientific Method. Similarly it is hardly debated whether Society can be observed just like a physical body and hence whether Scientific Method can be employed in the study of society or not?There is one more criticism which is highly popular in philosophical debates. It doubts the validity of generalization about a phenomenon after observing a few events, as done in Scientific Method.
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