Which is the best; Pure Science or Applied Science?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the choice between pursuing pure science and applied science, particularly in the context of a future career in atomic science. Participants explore the implications of each path, including employment prospects and personal interests in research areas such as atomic, particle, and relativity physics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a dilemma about choosing between pure and applied science, seeking guidance on which path may secure their future as a scientist in atomic science.
  • Another participant argues that pure science is essentially an application of science to itself, suggesting that applied science is more fundamental and interesting.
  • A different viewpoint highlights that applied science may offer better employment opportunities compared to pure science, although research-oriented positions in academia or government could favor pure science backgrounds.
  • One participant emphasizes the need for specificity in the discussion, noting that definitions of pure and applied science can vary widely and suggesting that the original poster should research specific programs and career outcomes.
  • A participant shares a personal experience of discussing physics theories with medical physicists, illustrating how applied physics can coexist with theoretical exploration.
  • Another participant expresses confusion about the potential for research in atomic and particle physics with a background in engineering, questioning the viability of pursuing pure science for future security.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on which path is superior, as multiple competing views regarding the value and implications of pure versus applied science remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the definitions of pure and applied science, the relationship between educational backgrounds and research opportunities, and the employment landscape for both fields. There are also unresolved questions about the specific programs and career trajectories associated with each path.

aman.yash
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i am in big dilema of what to take up in near future;either PURE SCIENCE or APPLIED SCIENCE let me tell you that i want to become a SCIENTIST in the field of atomic science. so please please help me to know which is better for me and in which my future is sceure...
 
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Pure science is just the application of science to itself, so it only another type of applied science. For this reason I consider applied science to be more fundamental, and thus more interesting.
 
aman.yash said:
i am in big dilema of what to take up in near future;either PURE SCIENCE or APPLIED SCIENCE let me tell you that i want to become a SCIENTIST in the field of atomic science. so please please help me to know which is better for me and in which my future is sceure...

From an employment perspective, applied science would more than likely be more applicable than a pure science. An exception may be for a research oriented position such as that in academia, government or private institutions.
 
more like, which is best FOR YOU?
 
"Pure" science and "applied" science have very broad definitions. For example, the engineering departments at some schools define themselves as applied science, however a course in say, applied mathematics is not necessarily an engineering degree.

I think you'll have to be more specific if you really want feedback on a particular direction. Look into specific programs that catch your interest, look at the courses you'll take, the projects you'll work on, look at what careers people in those programs go on to, and look at the future predictions for people who study in that discipline.
 
i am still in a confusion...
my interest lies in doing research in atomic, particle and relative physics(concerned to relativity) in all the three but i want to secure my future. do we have good amount in pure science? can we do research if we have a background from engineering stream?
 
I used to sit with the Medical Physicists of a cancer treatment/research centre for lunch and every lunch, every day, we discussed the theories of different physicists. These Dr.s were practicing their applied physics in medicine yet were able to explore the theories of physics on lunch. And I got the benefit of it!
 

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