Pseudoscience

Pseudoscience is any body of knowledge, methodology, or practice that is erroneously regarded as scientific {{mn|dicdef|1}}.

Fields often associated with pseudoscience

Main article: List of alternative, speculative and disputed theories

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Examples of theories and fields of endeavor that are considered pseudoscientific in the consensus opinion of mainstream science include:

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• Acupuncture (the traditional theory behind it)
• Alchemy (pre- or proto-scientific rather than pseudoscientific)
• Astrology
• Chakra theory
• Clairvoyance
• Creation science and
• Baraminology
• Creation biology
• Creationist cosmologies
• Flood geology
• Intelligent design
• Dianetics
• Eugenics
• Essentialism
• Folk psychiatry
• Graphology
• Götaland theory
• Homeopathy
• Lunaception
• Megalithic yard and other pseudoscientific metrology
• Melanin Theory
• Modern geocentrism (see also Flat Earth Society)
• New Chronology
• Orgonomy
• Palmistry
• Parapsychology
• Schemes for Perpetual motion
• Personology
• Phrenology
• Physiognomy
• Precognition
• Pseudoarchaeology
• Pyramidology
• Psychiatry
• Gene Ray's Time Cube
• Explanations of Telekinesis
• Explanations of Telepathy
• Vedic science

Pseudoscientific science and medical practices are often quite popular. Medical pseudosciences even sometimes show notable therapeutic benefits, possibly due to the placebo effect or observer bias.

Related Topics:
Medical pseudoscience - Placebo effect - Observer bias

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Many pseudosciences are associated with the New Age movement and there is a tendency to improperly associate all practices of the "New Age" with pseudoscience.

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Certain "watchdog" groups, such as CSICOP, have released statements expressing concern about the apparent growing popularity of pseudoscience, especially when it applies to scientific fields that are intended to save people's lives. A number of self-proclaimed alternative medicine treatments have been designated pseudoscience by critics, largely because some of these methods inspire false hope in terminally ill patients, and end up costing large amounts of money without actually providing any real benefit, treatment, or cure for various ailments.

Related Topics:
Watchdog - CSICOP - Alternative medicine

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