Naturwissenschaftlichkeit

Naturwissenschaften, or natural sciences, is a broad field of study that seeks to understand the natural world through observation, empirical research, and testable explanations. It encompasses disciplines that investigate physical and biological phenomena, distinguishing itself from the social sciences and humanities. The core branches include physics, chemistry, biology, and the earth sciences, with astronomy often treated as a separate field or integrated with physics.

Interdisciplinary areas such as environmental science, geoscience, biochemistry, and materials science connect multiple disciplines to explore complex systems and practical applications.

Natural sciences rely on the scientific method: formulating hypotheses, conducting controlled experiments, collecting data, and refining models or theories. Reproducibility, peer review, and transparent methodology are central to validation.

Historically, the modern natural sciences emerged during the scientific revolution, with contributions from figures such as Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Lavoisier, and Darwin. Institutions like universities and research laboratories organized training, experimentation, and publication.

Beyond advancing knowledge, the natural sciences underpin technology, medicine, energy, environment, and public policy. They continue to evolve in response to new data and capabilities, including computational modeling and interdisciplinary approaches.

See also: science; scientific method; interdisciplinary studies.