Raymond Albert Ng, 11205369

Mr. Victorino Raymundo Lualhati

Does science give us truth?

Yes, science is capable of giving us truths. However, these truths are
limited: Science can only attain those truths that are within the scope of its
method. And since science investigates reality by systematic observation
and experimentation, it can only arrive at truths concerning that aspect of
reality which is observable and may be subject to experimentation, namely,
physical and natural phenomena.
Science is progressively moving towards a true account of the physical
realm. Scientific theories aim to provide genuine descriptions of material
reality, or approximately so. In the course of the history of science, there
inevitably occur revisions or replacements of theories, owing to
advancements that surpass erstwhile limitations to what science could
explore at the time. Thus regarding the truth of the notions that were
superseded: their degree of conformity with reality was simply in keeping
with the time, with its available tools and conceptsthough the objective
reality itself that was studiedhence the truthdid not change with time.
Science does attempt to give us truth, but always within its scope and
limitations; it falls short when it does not have the means. In particular, we
can contend that the limitation of science is in its measurement of reality,
which in fact is its primary methodical activity. And with the developments
throughout history, and modern ones, continuous verification of scientific
facts by its repeated predictions and observations leads to more refinement
in the understanding of natural phenomena, and comes up with
progressively better explanations that more faithfully describe the reality
observed. Accordingly, science can indeed reach certain truths about the
natural world as it is.
Lastly, with this we arrive at the further realization that the sciences
deal with only specific aspects of reality, namely, physical reality. Being
outside this scope, immaterial reality, that by its very nature is
unquantifiable, cannot be penetrated into by mere scientific inquiry: Such
study is properly philosophical. (The particular sciences investigate definite
aspects of reality and their proximate causes: causes that do not go beyond
that level; consequently they cannot deprive philosophy of its role in
studying all of reality, in its deepest aspect, seeking its ultimate causes.)