THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING IS THE SUBJECTIVE VALUE OF THE DI

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING IS THE SUBJECTIVE VALUE OF THE DIFFERENT OUTPUTS.

(expanded and edited)

It has nothing to do with method.

The difference between physical science and engineering, as between mathematics and computer science, is simply the UTILITARIAN VALUE we attach to either:

(a) the product of the test;

OR

(b) the extension of deductive power that results from the test.

The purpose of engineering is to satisfy human wants given the demonstrated physical properties of the universe.

The purpose of computer science is to satisfy human wants given the demonstrated physical properties of the universe. The purpose of physical science is to satisfy human wants given the demonstrated physical properties of the universe.

That, in the last case, of physical sciences, as in the case of mathematics, the ‘human wants’ are largely the desire to know the additional properties of something,and the outputs of the tests are but a byproduct, is not materially different from engineering where the outputs of the tests (production) are what is desired, while the advancement in our theories is but a byproduct.

That in computer science, biological research, or engineering, we place equal or higher value on the production of our tests, than we do on the advancement of our general theories, is a statement about the relative value of the various outputs, not statement about any difference in method.

This can be restated as “the products of our tests in some fields finance further expansion of knowledge, and in other fields the products of our tests do not produce intermediate products that finance our further expansion of our theories.”

That is the only difference.

That is the answer you know. Everything else is nonsense.