Protoscience

Alchemy is an example of a Protoscience that led to useful research such as exploration of the chemical nature of materials.

Welcome to the Wikiversity learning project for Protoscience.

Project Goals

Protoscience is often science in search of new methods for the study of aspects of the universe that have so far avoided scientific analysis. For example, a science of astrophysics was greatly facilitated by the development of stellar spectroscopy methods. Before such experimental methods, the composition of stars was often used as an example of something beyond human knowing.

The development of some protosciences can be delayed because our existing conceptual systems make us cognitively closed to some new ideas. For example, before ocean rifts and trenches were understood, it was difficult for geologists to accept plate tectonics as meaningful science.

This project allows Wikiversity participants to explore how pre-scientific ideas can be explored by the scientific method and become new sciences. Which new areas of science are just waiting for methodological or conceptual breakthroughs? Are there some aspects of the universe that are simply beyond our technical or conceptual limitations?

Case studies

Exobiology

Reading: Read some of the news articles at Astrobiology Magazine.

Discussion

One common step in the development of new sciences is the establishment of one or more scientific journals where articles can be published about the new scientific discipline. What scientific journals exist for Exobiology (Astrobiology)?

One common step in the development of new sciences is the establishment of new departments, interdisciplinary programs or courses within science faculties of universities. Which universities have courses about Exobiology (Astrobiology)? Which departments host these courses?

See also

Subject classification: this is a science resource.

• Science and the nonphysical
• The concept of irreducible complexity

• A descriptive list of some protosciences.

External Links

• See the Wikipedia article on Protoscience.

• This list at Wikipedia compares some ideas from the fringe of science and asks, are they protoscience or pseudoscience?

• The Evolution of Geomorphology, Ecology, and Other Composite Sciences by W.R. Osterkamp and C.R. Hupp
• Lyricus DNA Project - Is it possible to change your DNA just by thinking about it?