Skip to main content

The Sciences

Scientific advancement is critical for the advancement of healthcare, education, technology and innovation. 

While never a perfect process of complete consensus, it is an accountable process. Scientific research is subject to peer review and revision. It is our best, most accountable form of advancing our understanding of the world around us and building upon advancements to the benefit of all.

Federal investment in scientific research yields economic benefit by driving innovation and decreasing the costs through advancing public health and improving technology.

The sciences — natural, social and formal — each contribute to our collective understanding of the world we live in, our connections with one another, and the systems and technologies we are capable of building.

Civil stewards understand the importance of science and basing our collective decision-making in facts and evidence.

What You Can Do

It’s important to understand the difference between “doing your own research” and the kind of research done with scientific rigor. Take time to understand what scientific methods are, how research is conducted and how to understand the context of scientific inquiry. Science is complicated and has a lot of dependent information that’s easy to mistake simply from a lack of foundational knowledge. Being literate about conversations about science will help prevent misunderstanding (or being misled) about science.

Natural Sciences

Natural science is the study of the natural world and its systems. It encompasses life sciences such as biology, botany, zoology and medicine; and physical science such as physics, astronomy and chemistry.

Social Sciences

Social sciences are the study of societies, dynamics and relationships. The social sciences include fields of study such as anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, linguistics, psychology, and political science.

Formal Sciences

The formal sciences are the studies of abstract concepts that are described by formal systems. This includes mathematics, statistics, computer science, artificial intelligence, game theory, systems theory, and decision theory.

Readings & Resources

Newsletters & Blogs

Nature

Scientific American

Science News

Live Science

New Scientist

Science Daily

Phys

Science

Institutions & Organizations

National Academy of Sciences

“The National Academy of Sciences works to recognizing and elevating outstanding science, foster the broad understanding of science and oversee the National Research Council in producing and promoting the adoption of independent, authoritative, trusted scientific advice to the government for the benefit of society.”

The American Medical Association

“Founded in 1847, the American Medical Association (AMA) is the largest and only national association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders. Throughout history, the AMA has always followed its mission: to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.”

American Association for the Advancement of Science

The American Association for the Advancement of Science works to “advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all” and envisions “a boldly inclusive, mobilized, and global scientific community that ignites, enables, and celebrates scientific excellence and science-informed decisions and actions.”

American Astronomical Society

“The American Astronomical Society is a major international organization of professional astronomers, astronomy educators, and amateur astronomers. The AAS was established in 1899 and it’s membership of about 8,200 individuals also includes physicists, mathematicians, geologists, engineers, and others whose research and educational interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising the astronomical sciences.”

Books

Just Enough Research

A Short History of Everything

Life in Three Dimensions

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

Thinking in Systems

Hope for Cynics

The Beak of the Finch

Notes on Complexity

Silent Spring

A Sand County Almanac

World of Wonders

The Demon Haunted World

Not Too Late

What If We Get It Right

Drawdown

The Great Displacement

Waste Wars

The Coming Wave

How Infrastructure Works

An Immense World

The Light Eaters

Our Moon

How The World Eats

Air Bourne

How Emotions Are Made

Crossings

Eve

I Contain Multitudes

How Far the Light Reaches

Botany of Empire