Science vs Art
The difference between science and art stems from the nature of the subjects studied. Now, it seems so easy and almost natural to believe in the dichotomy of subjects between science and art and label a subject as belonging to science or arts stream. We know which are the subjects belonging to science stream and which are those belonging to arts stream. Though times are changing, and there is advancement everywhere, there were cultures where science subjects were believed to be good for boys while girls were considered suitable for art subjects. We know this much, and perhaps much more, but when it comes to delineating the differences between science and art streams, most of us draw a blank. In fact it is a dilemma of sorts for boys and girls after they pass their 10+2 exam to choose between science and art streams. This article, by attempting to differentiate between science and art, hopes to help such students. We will try to understand the difference between science and arts via some examples too.
What is Science?
Science is a theoretical subject that studies the environment around us including the creatures living there. It studies how everything functions and how something comes into being. Let us go to an activity that can help you to understand what science is. Give molecules of oxygen and hydrogen and provide all facilities to make these molecules interact according to a set procedure to make water. You will see that every person who attempts to make water must follow the same procedure; otherwise he cannot hope to make water from hydrogen and oxygen molecules. What we can understand from this experiment is this. If we have the same input and same procedure to achieve an output, the output will always be the same, uniform, and standardized. This is science, and this is the process through which we get standardized products around the world.
If we think about everything in a practical form, all things are science. This is because even the beautiful green leaf that is there on a tree is not added to it just to add beauty to the environment. It is there to provide food to the tree through photosynthesis. However, the greatest of scientists and mathematicians who had a vision and came up with novel creations were truly artists. Rest is merely scientists as they follow what has already been said and written. A scientist tries to justify his or her creations. The basis of justification is representation of natural processes for a scientific creation.
Science is an explanation of things natural that we can see and hear or feel. Our forefathers did not know the truth behind lightening and they got frightened or associated it with supernatural powers. But, as a courtesy of science, especially principles of physics, we know all that goes behind lightening as a natural process. This does not mean those phenomena that cannot be explained through science do not exist. What science cannot explain today remains in the realms of art, or metaphysics as it is called.
What is Art?
Art is a very free subject area where you get to observe the environment, creatures as well as our own thoughts. We can choose to show them in whatever way we wish to. Here are some examples to help you understand what art is all about. Give a piece of paper, all colors and brush and ask different people to come up with a picture of rocky mountain from a distance. You will get as many answers to the question you posed as many people attempting to answer. This is because every person has his own individual perception of Rocky Mountains, and thus, uses various color mixes to come up with a picture that he feels best relates with the original.
Provide steel, tires, engine and all internal parts and ask different persons to make a car. You will be surprised to see as many different looking cars as there are people accepting the challenge.
What these experiments clearly demonstrate is the fact that we can create a thing using same input and different processes. The output is not standard and depends upon people’s perceptions. This is what we refer to as art. There are so many products in the market that are made using scientific principles, but we prefer those that are made to look beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. This is where science and art merge together in the making of a product. The car is a perfect example for that.
If we think intellectually, all things are art because even a leaf of a tree is constructed to have a beautiful color and form that suits the environment. Every artist tries to justify his or her creation. The basis of justification is thought in the case of an artist.
What is the difference between Science and Art?
• Objectivity and subjectivity:
• Science is objective.
• Art is subjective.
• Theory and Concept:
• Science is theoretical.
• Art is conceptual.
• Nature:
• Science is based upon theories and hypothesis and every phenomenon or device can be explained through science.
• Art needs no proof, it cannot be proved.
Images Courtesy:
- Science via Pixabay (Public Domain)
- Anamorphic art toy by Myrna Hoffman by Myrna Hoffman (CC BY-SA 3.0)
