Science & Research in Charted Space
Science and research are the backbones of any modern, technological, and sophontic civilization, of which Charted Space contains many.
Please refer to the following AAB library articles for related information:
- Technology (Science & Research in Charted Space)
- Technological Research
- Technological Systemics
Description
Imperial technological research is performed in two ways:
- Under contract by corporations, or...
- In established Imperial Research Stations.
The difference is that the corporate (or privately financed) research is directed at specific practical uses, while Imperial projects are breaking new ground on the forefronts of knowledge.
Research Type Data Table
| Stage | Name | Ranking | Tech. Nature | Type (Output) | Primary Actor | Secondary Actor/s | Character (Output) | Profit Margin | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Pure Research | Primary | Technological Information | Data collection develops scientific knowledge & predictions | Academic Institutions (non-contract) | Government (contract) | Theoretical knowledge | Rarely creates significant profit | Also called basic research or fundamental research. |
| Stage 2 | Applied Research | Secondary | Technological Application or Intervention | Data collation & interpretation develops technology & techniques | Government (contract) | Megacorporations (business) | Applied knowledge | Often creates significant profit | None |
| Stage 3 | Research & Development (R&D) | Tertiary | Technological Distribution | Data use develops products & sales | Megacorporations (business) | Other corporate (business) interests | Product (device) development, creation & sales | Usually creates significant profit | None |
Private (Non-government) Research
Private Research: On a scale as vast as the Imperium, it is often cheaper to duplicate research rather than search out and contract for technology somewhere in the Imperium. Trade between different worlds often disseminates knowledge and certain technologically advanced items throughout the community of worlds. If a certain item proves useful, local companies will try to achieve the same technology, and soon enter into local manufacture. Local manufacture takes into account local preferences, as well as provides local employment. It also avoids potential problems with licensing agreements and arrangements.
Imperial (Government) Research
Imperial Research: The Imperium finances research into a variety of areas in the forefront of knowledge. Often this is an attempt to duplicate technology observed or reported in neighboring cultures and not yet within the ability of Imperial science. Such research stations are sited in areas that need the boost to the local economy, or in remote areas far from the potential disturbance of Imperial politics. Many different stations may be working in the same region, and many different areas of knowledge may be under investigation at one time. In general, one station will be constructed for one purpose, and continue in that area of knowledge for its entire span of usefulness. Its size, personnel roster, power plant capacity, and even visibility profile, are dependent on its area of investigation.
History
Sophonce, the quality of being a sophont, is very much a bio-psychological process intimately intertwined with technology. All sophont species share various levels of tool use, curiosity, complex social hierarchy, language,and a number of other fairly standardized features.
The place or mindset where curiosity and technology meet are often popularly thought of as science and research. Almost every sophont society that excels at scientific research, develops a number of supporting philosophies: a scientific method, a theory of science, balanced ideas of scientism-contextualism, well-supported research cycles, appropriate technology, and the like.
Scientific Method
One of the commonalities of the majority of sophont societies and civilizations within Charted Space is the presence of a Scientific Method, a unified approach within a society to explore the boundaries of the unknown. The exact details differ from society to society, but the intent remains remarkably similar.
Theory of Science
Despite many millennia of civilization, science, and knowledge, the basic questions of what is and isn't science still have not been settled. Scientists throughout Charted Space still argue about how to demarcate the two.
Science & Fallability
Even millennia later, the interstellar scientific community still debates what features make science legitimate. Should it be verifiable or falsifiable? What constitutes proper peer review? How many times must a theory be recreated? Is knowledge fallible or infallible?
Scientism & Contextualism
Some societies look to science and the scientific method as not only a method of discerning knowledge but also as an ethical or moral system. Such systems are commonly called "Scientism" and commonly interpret all aspects of life through a very limited perspective devoid of the greater contextualism of interstellar society.
Research Cycle
No information yet available.
- Draw on MT sourcing.
Science & Major Races
Each of the major races approaches science, mathematics, and research in their own way and some of these characteristics are detailed below:
- TBD
Sources
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- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science