What is the Difference Between Science, Engineering, and Technology?
Science can be traced to the Latin word for “knowledge,” scientia. Today, we understand that
science refers to the knowledge of the cause of natural processes.
Using reason and logic, and other philosophic principles, science examines apparent phenomena and rationalizes a physically consistent explanation. In general, the word science is used to refer to the collective body of this knowledge as well as the processes used to establish it. Moreover, science yields natural rather than supernatural explanations for events.
Engineering, on the other hand, is the process of developing devices that accomplish some useful task for humankind.
Technology comes from the Greek word, techne, meaning method. A method is a systematic approach to a task. In this sense,
technology refers to these tools that accomplish a useful task for humankind.
In the case of engineering, the tool is usually a physical product, but a technology can also be practical method alone. For instance, language can be thought of as a tool, or technology, for communication, unlocking complexity in societies and providing for written records of events and other transactions. In fact, language and tool-use are thought to involve the same neural structures.
Technology is tools, including methods, that assist humans in accomplishing some task. Image: Johany Lopez
Does technology require science?
Technologies like space-travel and targeted cancer therapies rely heavily on various scientific understandings. For instance, in order to produce thrust in space we have to take advantage of basic chemistry, which has been developed scientifically for hundreds of years. Similarly, in order to effectively fight cancer, we have to understand the cause of the disease and act upon this knowledge to interfere with its continued occurrence in a body. But do all technologies demand science as a pre-requisite?
Primitive hunting technology. Image: Julia Freeman-Woolpert
Certainly, it can be argued that many basic technologies did not require scientific understanding for their basic conception. For instance, early hunters in paleolithic societies managed to develop somewhat advanced spear-launching technologies, without any apparent understanding of the laws of aerodynamics. Similarly, it is doubtful that the first languages that appeared among humans were developed through a precise understanding of the brain structural relationship to this function. In other words, science often inspires and informs technology, but not necessarily. Much of technology, even certain advanced robotics systems, are in large-part developed through diligent trial-and-error.
Sometimes, even advanced technologies are developed through trial and error with very little science. Image:NASA/Bill Ingalls
Key Points:
Science is a body of natural explanations for apparent phenomena.
Technology is tools, including methods, that assist people in accomplishing tasks.
Engineering is the process of studying and developing technology.
