It is common for many branches of theory to be relevant to any one environmental problem, and therefore there is a need for ways of assessing the relevance of a branch of theory, such as a science, to any particular environmental problem. The paper proposes and describes a problem-focused approach, involving ataxonomy of ignorance, which provides a systematic aid to defining and addressing problems. Using built-environment examples, the paper discusses the relevant application and the misapplication of various sciences. It concludes that the concept #x201C;science#x201D; is properly a broad, vague, inclusive concept which is high in potential for confusion, and that, rather than attempting to generalise about roles of sciences, it is more fruitful to use the taxonomy of ignorance to generalise about types of theory which are applicable to types and aspects of environmental problems.
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