Understanding the differences between the sciences
There is no one way to conduct science. When we want to integrate across the boundaries of the various branches of science we need to understand the differences between the sciences we want to integrate.
Why the approaches of the sciences vary
There are obvious differences between the sciences. Sometimes these seem to be chasms that separate them completely. There are two main reasons why these differences occur:
- Legitimate differences due to the fact that the nature of their respective fields of investigation differ significantly
- Differences that developed because of the "silo approach" that prevailed in the development and practice of the sciences
The legitimate differences need to be understood and taken into account when the barriers between the sciences are crossed during scientific investigation. But like in all other cases where isolation is challenged and barriers broken down, much value is added by engaging the differences that came into being primarily because of the "silo approach" to scientific work.
We need to view the differences between the sciences against the background of the commonalaties of the sciences to have a balanced view.