tieteet

Tieteet is Finnish for "sciences" and refers to systematic bodies of knowledge produced through observation, experimentation, and reasoning. It encompasses natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, geology, astronomy), social sciences (sociology, psychology, economics, anthropology), and formal sciences (mathematics, logic, computer science). Applied sciences like engineering and medicine use scientific knowledge for practical purposes.

The development of tieteet has roots in ancient inquiry and classification, but the modern scientific method emerged during the Scientific Revolution, emphasizing hypothesis testing, empirical evidence, and peer review. Through centuries, disciplines have specialized and interlinked, producing iterative advances and cross-disciplinary fields.

Core features include systematic methodology, empirical evidence, reproducibility, and critical evaluation. The aim is to develop explanations (theories) that can predict phenomena and be tested against observations. Ethics, transparency, and openness (data sharing, replication) are increasingly emphasized.

In society, tieteet informs policy, technology, medicine, and education. Research is conducted in universities, national labs, and private sectors, funded by public and private sources. Language and citation norms, like peer-reviewed journals, facilitate communication and validation.