This chapter presents seven case studies intended to illustrate the broad applicability of the general principles of scientific method that were explained in the previous chapters. The first concerns philosophy. The middle five case studies span the physical, biological, and social sciences, including some applications to technology. The last concerns law. Hopefully, contemplating these case studies will prompt readers to discern promising new applications of the general principles of scientific method in their own disciplines, not only in the sciences but also in the humanities.

Philosophy

Recall the earlier quotation from the American Association for the Advancement of Science that “many of these fundamental values and aspects” of science “are also the province of the humanities, the fine and practical arts, and the social sciences” (AAAS 1990:xii). There is a fruitful traffic of ideas between science and philosophy and more generally between science and the “wider world of ideas” (AAAS 1990:24).