INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE 



pursue different methods, use different tools, 

 sum up in different kinds of formulae, they are 

 simply different modes of one rational inquiry. 



SUMMARY. The classification of the sciences is 

 in detail a matter of convenience, but it is of great 

 practical importance to have in the mind some 

 clear map of knowledge. The broad lines of the 

 classification depend upon our scientific and phil- 

 osophical convictions, e. g. as to the independence of 

 Biology and the separateness of Psychology from 

 Physiology. It seems useful to separate, first of all, 

 the abstract sciences which are "methodological," 

 from the concrete sciences which deal with the facts 

 of experience. The fundamental abstract science is 

 Mathematics, and we would regard Metaphysics as 

 supreme in the same division. The five great con- 

 crete sciences, which may also be called descriptive 

 or experiential, are: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, 

 Psychology, and Sociology. Within these there are 

 sub-sciences, thus Biology is divisible into Mor- 

 phology, Physiology, Geneology (i. e. Embryology 

 and Paleontology) and JEtiology. Dependent on 

 the five general sciences are the numerous derivative 

 or particulate sciences, such as Botany and Zoology. 

 Many of these are complex or -synthetic, focussing 

 several sciences on one subject: Geology and 

 Geography are good examples. The term "applied 

 science" is conveniently used for those departments 

 of general or special sciences which have directly to 



