Here is my short version of the meaning of science.
Science & the philosophy thereof
Understanding the meaning of science requires the philosophy of science. Why? Short version. Describe a scientific test that can prove that a scientific study or ‘finding’ was properly conducted using the scientific method.
I’ll wait.
You will likely quickly notice that this thing we call the scientific method isn’t a thing in the sense of being a physical object. Futhermore, the practice of thinking about these non-physical things we call ideas – that practice of thinking is called philosophy.
Lesson 1: Science and the Philosophy of Science rely on each other.
Science also requires mathematics and/or logic. Usually both. Logic and math requires rational thinking and rational thinking requires a sentient being.
Reason. Sentient beings. Thought. Awareness. Familiar ground for the student of the EBT!
In western thought logic has traditionally been considered part of the domain of philosophy. And mathematics as sub-set of logic
Lesson 2: Science depends on reason, logic, math.
Lesson 3: Science depends on sentient beings to do science and to understand it’s results.
So there is a inter relatedness, a inter dependency – other reoccurring theme in the EBT.
Holistic Naturalism
There is a view that claims that philosophy has certain proprietary methods and ways of knowing, which should be distinguished from those of science. From this view one would say that physics belongs to science and metaphysics belongs to philosophy.
Even from this camp there are those who will admit that drawing a ‘bright line’ distinction may not be worth the effort. With more information what is today called metaphysics tomorrow may be accepted as science.
I prefer a more interdependent and integrated idea sometimes called holistic naturalism.
[Holistic] … naturalists see philosophy and the sciences (in the plural) as cut from the same cloth, and as mutually dependent. Both are enmeshed in the same web of knowledge. Disciplinary boundaries reflect accidents of history, and may have some pragmatic justification (division of cognitive labor), but they carry little epistemic import.
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From a holistic view it still makes sense to speak of metaphysics but now we can understand it’s meaning with more nuance, not as an either-or situation.
One implication of these various views is that it is a mistake to equate talk of “rebirth as metaphysics” as a dismissal of rebirth. The meaning varies depending on one’s views.
A practical problem is that there are a number of different views of science and philosophy. A statement that makes perfect sense from one view point sounds like non-sense from another. Even for a experienced philosopher of science it can be hard to figure out what someone else’s view is. So without some discussion and clarification of meanings and views misunderstanding is just about %100 guaranteed.