Factual Sciences

The factual or empirical sciences study the events that occur in nature. They deal with the facts and events that occur in the world and that we can know through experience.

The word “factual” derives from the Latin factum which means “fact”. It is based on observation and experimentation to generate scientific knowledge.

Characteristics of factual sciences

This text aims to present some characteristics, based on Mario Bunge’s texts, referring to what the author considers Fact Science. These are not found in the same way as Bunge’s original wording, but present an interpretative notion in what they refer to.

1. 1. Scientific knowledge is always factual, from its essence.
   2. It must transcend the facts, it must overcome the quantitative aspect.
   3. Science must be analytical.
   4. Scientific research is always specialized.
   5. Scientific knowledge must be clear and precise.
   6. It must be communicable.
   7. It must be verifiable, that is, it must be reproducible.
   8. Research that generates knowledge, scientific research, must be methodical.
   9. Scientific knowledge is systemic.
   10. Likewise, this knowledge must be general.
   11. It must also be cool.
   12. Science, by nature, is explanatory.
   13. Scientific knowledge is productive.
   14. Science is open.
   15. Likewise, science, by its nature, must be useful.

Types of factual sciences

Within the empirical or factual sciences, two groups can be distinguished:

• The natural sciences : these study the natural, physical and chemical phenomena that constitute the Universe. Physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry are natural sciences.
• The social sciences : those disciplines that study the phenomena related to the human being, their behavior and interaction. Among these sciences are psychology, sociology and economics.

Example of factual science

biology

Biology is the science that deals with the study of living beings. As such, it encompasses a diversity of fields such as ecology, botany, zoology, microbiology, among others.

Differecne between Formal sciences and factual sciences

	Formal sciences	Factual sciences
Definition	Sciences that are in charge of the study of subjective abstract entities.	Sciences that are in charge of the study of objective facts of nature.
object of study	ideals	material facts
Statements	Relations between signs.	Relationships between events and processes.
Method	Inductive inference.	Observation and experimentation.
examples	Mathematics, logic, computer science.	Physics, chemistry, biology, sociology, economics.