most important science

[mollykins]

out of the three main science; biology, chemsitry and physics, which is the most important?

I had a dream last night where I agrued with my chemistry teacher (who in the dream and real life has a phd in chemistry) And he was saying that everythin in the universe is made from atoms, which is chemistry. But i was saaying that physics is the most important because all the chemicals and atoms have to obey the laws of physics. But because he has a phd in chemisry, he was having non of it, but i woke up before one us of gave in.

Do yuo agree that physics is the most important science? If you think about it, biology is dependant on chimcal reactions, but those chemical reaction have to obey the laws of physics, meaning without phyics, you can't have the other two sciences?

[mollykins]

Oh and yes that should be chemistry, my fingers are fat and i type quickly so i end up spelling things wrong, sorry.

[Dris]

I would go with biology cos if that didnt exist we wouldnt be here to invent Physics or Chemistry.

[joggerjayne]

Surely the science of atoms is essentially Physics ... not Chemistry ?

Physics is the "universal science" and is the most important by far.

[joggerjayne]

... or Biology.

=0/

[Canary42]

In my opinion, your logic is impeccable.

Furthermore, your chemistry teacher has a vested interest (his livelihood), so his answer is unreliable.

:)

[mollykins]

yes but without biology, non organic (is that the correct phrase?) chemical reactions (and chemicals and atoms in general) would still happen, and they would still be obeying the laws of physics.

Not the most improtant science to humans, but the most important for anything, to do with anything.

[R1Geezer]

I think Physics is the daddy because it uderlies everything, chemistry is very useful in describing atomic interactions but I think under all that is are the fundemental particles, force bosons, quarks, Etc There are also the forces. Chemistry can be thought of as a branch of physics really. Biology is of course also very important but in a more esoteric sense. As far as education goes though they all have equal value to a student persuing a career in the respective areas.

[mollykins]

The first bit of what you said was my argument, everything has to obey the laws of physics, meaning its the most powerful and important one.

[gen2]

I'm with those who say biology is the most important.

Without biology, there would be no humans and then there would be nobody to argue in favour of the other two. In fact, without humans, there would be no concept of either chemistry or biology.

If you'll permit me to paraphrase Descartes: 'I think therefore it is'; therefore, without humans, there would be no concept of a universe and no concept of any physics or chemistry, ergo, they wouldn't exist.

[sddsddean]

As one of my old teachers used to say, " If it moves its Biology. If it smells its Chemistry. If it doesn't work its Physics!"

[mibn2cweus]

I think the line between the method (science) and that to which the method is applied (reality) is being blurred here.

Philosophy is the one ring that rules them all. Until you learn how to think rationally with purpose and intent you can not develop the other sciences and know how to use them wisely, to sustain and promote the existence and well being of those with the capacity to do science and properly derive the benefits this offers to the life and well-being of the host. Reason and science must evolve together to provide a mutually beneficial sustainable and growing relationship between the sciences and the scientist.

[wildwood]

All three are important in their own right and none is more important than another. Without any of the three we wouldn't be here.

It is a bit like asking which is the most important organ in your body.

[mollykins]

you can live with only one lung and one kidney, but then you have to be careful what you do and eat. And you can live, without your appendix quite easily, i would say that is the least improtant organ, but i don't know about the most important, they all need to work together, to keep homeostasis in order.

[jake-the-peg]

If you'll let me have maths as a science that is by far the most important - all others are underpinned by it.

Ernest Rutherford said Physics is the only true science the rest is Stamp collecting

I guess he meant that the others involve a lot of cataloging - had he been around in the 50's when nuclear physicists seemed to be discovering a new particle every week he'd have been made to eat his words!!

Chemists do tend to get picked on a bit - the physicist Pauli on hearing that his wife had run off with another man said:

" if she'd run off with a matador I could have understood - but a Chemist??!!!???"

[mibn2cweus]

The obvious choice . . . if you happen to be hurting at the moment.

[johnk]

Physics

[mollykins]

But he has a phd, so wouldn't take any of it, plus it was a dream so in reality he might actualy realise that even though chemistry is his favourite, physics is the most important.

[mibn2cweus]

There's always room for one more PhD in AnswerBank, in chemistry or otherwise. Wouldn't it be interesting to see how the reality stacks up relative to the dream?
Golly, wonder what theprof would have to say about this?

[mollykins]

well he's only a doctor, i should ask him on monday, i have a leson with him, i wonder what he would say.

[NiceCupOfTea]

I agree with whoever it was above that it's maths that underpins the lot, but I have doubts that it's a science, I've always thought it more a Philosophy? I am therefore going to put my lot in with Physics. And I'm a Chemist so according to your Prof shouldn't be saying that, but I feel there's nothing wrong with a bit of realism.