Single Idea 15880

[catalogued under 14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 1. Observation]

Full Idea

In the physical sciences the particular observations and experimental results are usually orderable, while in the biological sciences it is the classes of organism which are ordered, not the particular organisms.

Gist of Idea

In physical sciences particular observations are ordered, but in biology only the classes are ordered

Source

Rom Harré (Laws of Nature [1993], 3)

Book Reference

Harré,Rom: 'Laws of Nature' [Duckworth 1993], p.67


A Reaction

Harré is interesting on the role of ordering in science. Functions can be defined by an order. Maths feeds on orderings. Physics, he notes, focuses on things which vary together.