znanost

Znanost is the systematic pursuit of knowledge about the natural world, human society, and abstract structures through observation, experimentation, and reasoning. It encompasses natural sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology and Earth sciences; social sciences like psychology, sociology and economics; and formal sciences including mathematics and computer science. The aim is to develop explanations, theories and models that can be tested, refined or replaced as new evidence becomes available.

The core of znanost is empirical evidence and falsifiable hypotheses. Researchers formulate conjectures, collect and analyze data, and communicate results through peer review and publication. Reproducibility and openness, including transparent methods and data sharing, are considered essential to build a reliable body of knowledge. While scientific conclusions are often probabilistic rather than certain, they are continually weighted against new observations and experiments.

Historically, znanost emerged from ancient inquiry and matured during the Scientific Revolution, with advances in experimental method, mathematics and institutionalized research. Today, it operates within universities, research institutes, and funded programs, producing findings that drive technology, medicine, policy and daily life. The scientific enterprise also faces challenges, including limitations of models, uncertainty, reproducibility issues, and ethical considerations surrounding research and its applications, all of which shape ongoing improvements and governance.

In languages such as Croatian, Bosnian and Serbian, znanost refers to science as a system of knowledge and the organized study that generates it.