Hierarchy of Knowledge
Encyclopedia
The Hierarchy of knowledge is the idea that the basic fields of the science
s and mathematics
can be organized linearly from its most basic pure form to its most derivative manifestation, at least as a convenience of discussion.
In brief, the hierarchy is as follows:
Math→Physics
→Chemistry
→Biology
→Psychology
→Sociology
According to this approach, Mathematics is the most basic and abstract form of knowledge. Math cannot be broken down into lesser elements or underlying factors or patterns. The application of math onto the real world is Physics
, which attempts to explain the happenings of the universe through mathematics. Chemistry is the science of using physics to understand the constituent particles that make up all matter
. Biology is the study of how chemistry manifests itself as life
. Psychology
is the study of mind and behavior based on biological context. Sociology
is the study of human systems and social interaction.
Each step cannot exist or be understood properly without a firm understanding of the step that lies before it. One cannot understand biology without first understanding molecular biology
and how DNA
encodes the protein
s that make life possible. One cannot understand DNA unless he first understands how the chemistry of atom
s allow them to form covalent bond
s and intermolecular attractions. One cannot understand atoms unless he first understands physics and the nature of particle
s. One cannot understand particles without math. However, in going down the hierarchy, the necessary degree of mastery of the primary level is less.
In some respects, each level in the hierarchy is simply another level of complexity
imposed on the prior. Looked at differently, each successive step is a higher degree of generalization,dealing with increasing levels of organization
. As the hierarchy implies there is not set division between levels and instead it forms a gradient as each level blurs into its neighbours. A more fleshed out hierarchy may appear as:
Mathematics
→Physics
→Physical Chemistry
→Chemistry
→Biochemistry
→Biology
→Ecology
→Neurobiology→Psychology
→Sociology
.
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
s and mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
can be organized linearly from its most basic pure form to its most derivative manifestation, at least as a convenience of discussion.
In brief, the hierarchy is as follows:
Math→Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
→Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
→Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
→Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
→Sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
According to this approach, Mathematics is the most basic and abstract form of knowledge. Math cannot be broken down into lesser elements or underlying factors or patterns. The application of math onto the real world is Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, which attempts to explain the happenings of the universe through mathematics. Chemistry is the science of using physics to understand the constituent particles that make up all matter
Matter
Matter is a general term for the substance of which all physical objects consist. Typically, matter includes atoms and other particles which have mass. A common way of defining matter is as anything that has mass and occupies volume...
. Biology is the study of how chemistry manifests itself as life
Life
Life is a characteristic that distinguishes objects that have signaling and self-sustaining processes from those that do not, either because such functions have ceased , or else because they lack such functions and are classified as inanimate...
. Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
is the study of mind and behavior based on biological context. Sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
is the study of human systems and social interaction.
Each step cannot exist or be understood properly without a firm understanding of the step that lies before it. One cannot understand biology without first understanding molecular biology
Molecular biology
Molecular biology is the branch of biology that deals with the molecular basis of biological activity. This field overlaps with other areas of biology and chemistry, particularly genetics and biochemistry...
and how DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
encodes the protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
s that make life possible. One cannot understand DNA unless he first understands how the chemistry of atom
Atom
The atom is a basic unit of matter that consists of a dense central nucleus surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged electrons. The atomic nucleus contains a mix of positively charged protons and electrically neutral neutrons...
s allow them to form covalent bond
Covalent bond
A covalent bond is a form of chemical bonding that is characterized by the sharing of pairs of electrons between atoms. The stable balance of attractive and repulsive forces between atoms when they share electrons is known as covalent bonding....
s and intermolecular attractions. One cannot understand atoms unless he first understands physics and the nature of particle
Subatomic particle
In physics or chemistry, subatomic particles are the smaller particles composing nucleons and atoms. There are two types of subatomic particles: elementary particles, which are not made of other particles, and composite particles...
s. One cannot understand particles without math. However, in going down the hierarchy, the necessary degree of mastery of the primary level is less.
In some respects, each level in the hierarchy is simply another level of complexity
Complexity
In general usage, complexity tends to be used to characterize something with many parts in intricate arrangement. The study of these complex linkages is the main goal of complex systems theory. In science there are at this time a number of approaches to characterizing complexity, many of which are...
imposed on the prior. Looked at differently, each successive step is a higher degree of generalization,dealing with increasing levels of organization
Organization
An organization is a social group which distributes tasks for a collective goal. The word itself is derived from the Greek word organon, itself derived from the better-known word ergon - as we know `organ` - and it means a compartment for a particular job.There are a variety of legal types of...
. As the hierarchy implies there is not set division between levels and instead it forms a gradient as each level blurs into its neighbours. A more fleshed out hierarchy may appear as:
Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
→Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
→Physical Chemistry
Physical chemistry
Physical chemistry is the study of macroscopic, atomic, subatomic, and particulate phenomena in chemical systems in terms of physical laws and concepts...
→Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
→Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
→Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
→Ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
→Neurobiology→Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
→Sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
.