This is a question which goes right to the heart of science fiction. We'll soon be looking at the definition of science fiction, but just from looking at its name, we can guess that it's fiction (we already defined that), which is somehow connected to science.

So...again....What is science?

But that question needs to be broader...not just what is science, but why is science, and how, and what does it give us and take from us and...Because science fiction is fiction (remember the two rules about fiction? It contains truth, and it's made), it's about our attitudes toward science.

Originally science meant "knowledge." (Check Dictionary.com) In different times, science has been regarded quite differently. In fact, I think it's still regarded differently in different cultures and places today. Just what is science to you? Think about the positive and negative responses science (however you define it) creates. Think about what your grandmother knows and feels about science, or your kid sister. What is not science?

These days, we see a lot of debate about the influence of politics on science, and what should be taught as science--and we see a lot of questions about science. Is it a positive force? Is it a negative force? We hear from some sides that science holds the cure to illnesses and problems...but from other sides we hear that science is the cause of much of what's wrong with the world.

Now click here to go to the discussion board and post your thoughts.

With those thoughts in mind, it's a good time to look at some websites of people who feel very strongly about this question. For some people, to call something science is very serious. These sites will open in a new window. Just close it to come back here.

The Amazing Randi is a professional magician, whose life's work is to expose and debunk claims of the paranormal. That includes spirits, psychics, and clairvoyants. He's offering a Million Dollar Reward to anyone who can prove paranormal abilities. Nobody's won it yet.

Quackwatch is the site of Doctor Stephen Barrett, who exposes "quacks." You may find, though, that his definitions of "quack" and of "science" are different than yours. For example, what do you think of acupuncture? or chiropractic?

Bad Astronomy is presented by an astronomer, teacher, lecturer and all-around science junkie, working against the misinformation that is spread about astronomy. In fact, you could say he's sick and tired of what he sees on TV and reads in the paper. And the movies...forget about it!

The attitude of non-scientists toward science is behind a lot of science fiction, even when it is written by scientists (like Isaac Asimov, Carl Sagan, David Brin,and Greg Bear, just to name a few). Even before we get into the subject of science fiction, see if you can add anything to your definition of, or your feelings about, science on the Discussion Board .