ONE VIEW OF SCIENCE

There are perhaps a hundred different definitions of science. There is consensus  on none of these.  Recognizing this, let me offer my own definition and description of science, not expecting consensus on this either.

Science is a collective trans-national effort by Homo sapiens to understand, appreciate, and explain every aspect of perceived reality that has been carefully observed  thorough systematic observation with the aid of instruments, concepts, and mathematical methods (when possible), This one in a coherent, consistent, sharable, verifiable, and rational framework, with the conviction that there are no supernatural entities behind natural phenomena.

The totality of understanding and interpretation thus acquired constitutes the scientific knowledge of a given period. This knowledge is always in a dynamic state, susceptible to modification, improvement, and even total replacement, if and  further scientific activity, insight, or discovery calls for it.

There may be other modes of grasping other dimensions of reality, presumed or actual, but the criteria for accepting their validity are different from the ones adopted by Science: coherence, consistency, rationality, shareability, as also trans-national and trans-cultural verifiability by competent scientists.