Scientometric definition of science: In what respect is the humanities more scientific than mathematical and social sciences?

摘要

“What is science” is not only intellectually interesting but also politically crucial in the proper nallocation of budget. As science does not define itself and only philosophy defines everything nincluding science, this paper first sketches the philosophical view of science. Then, hypotheses are npresented as to what definition is actually given for science by scientific circles themselves. The nhypotheses are tested in a scientometric way by observing the trend in the magazine Science. nUnexpected results are obtained. The actual trend in Science does not reflect what has long been nconsidered about science. Specifically, chemistry is at the top in the number of papers, far above nphysics. More papers are in historical sciences (part of the humanities) than in mathematics, ncomputer science and social science. It is discussed in what respect chemistry is the most nscientific, and the humanities is more scientific than the abovementioned three scientific fields. It nis interpreted that, out of the two aspects in Galilei’s view of science (metodo compositivo and nmetodo risolutivo.), the latter (empirical solution of problems by using technical instruments) ndominates the former (systematic theory using mathematics) in Science.