scientificity

Scientificity refers to the quality or character of being scientific, and to the degree to which a theory, method, or inquiry conforms to the norms and criteria commonly associated with science. The term is frequently used in the philosophy of science to discuss what counts as science and to compare scientific disciplines with non-scientific or pseudoscientific approaches.

Core criteria often invoked include empirical grounding, testability or falsifiability, explicit methods, replicability, and coherence with established knowledge. Additional virtues frequently emphasized are predictive success, explanatory power, internal logical consistency, and openness to revision in light of new evidence. Some accounts stress methodological transparency, meaning that data, procedures, and reasoning are openly available for verification.

Historical debates shape the conception of scientificity. Karl Popper emphasized falsifiability as a demarcation criterion, while Thomas Kuhn highlighted the role of paradigms and scientific revolutions. Imre Lakatos proposed a refined view through research programs that are judged by their progressive or degenerative problem shifts. These discussions influence how scientificity is assessed across disciplines and over time.

Field variation is notable: natural sciences often stress controlled experimentation and quantitative verification, whereas social sciences may combine qualitative and quantitative methods. In interdisciplinary work, maintaining scientificity involves explicit methods, robust data, and coherent integration of theories.

Critiques and limits acknowledge that the notion can be culturally or institutionally conditioned and may reflect power dynamics about legitimate knowledge. Some warn against rigid demarcations that exclude valuable inquiry or overemphasize novelty at the expense of reliability.

Usage-wise, scientificity serves as an evaluative standard applied to theories, models, and research programs rather than a fixed theory itself.