In The Nature of Science, Frederick Aicken shows that science is neither a mere assortment of facts nor (always) common sense, but rather a tool for the solving of problems. It is not a specialized activity reserved exclusively for professional scientists but a part of human intelligence that benefits everyone. Science therefore plays a vital role in the way each of us thinks and behaves.
Despite the traditional division of the cultures, scientific discovery has profoundly influenced literature and philosophy. Science is an indispensable guide in the search for truth yet it need not clash with these other guides nor with the spiritual side of our lives. Dividing the cultures leads to imbalance in our knowledge and to distortion in our view of human experience. Aicken's book demystifies science and places it in this larger context.