Pseudoscience

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

Introduction

The standards for determining of any body of knowledge, methodology, or practice as erroneous vary, but often include lack of empirical evidence, unfalsifiability, or failure to comply with scientific method or apply a heuristic such as Occam's Razor. A number of attempts have been made to apply philosophical rigor to the notion with mixed results. These include Karl Popper's criterion of falsifiability and the historiographical approach of Imre Lakatos in his Methodology of Scientific Research Programmes. Other historians and philosophers of science (including Paul Feyerabend) have argued, from a sociology of knowledge perspective, that a clear philosophical distinction between science and pseudoscience is neither possible nor desirable.

Related Topics:
Empirical - Unfalsifiability - Scientific method - Heuristic - Occam's Razor - Karl Popper's - Imre Lakatos - Methodology of Scientific Research Programmes - Paul Feyerabend - Sociology of knowledge

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The term "pseudoscience" often has negative connotations, implying generally that things so labeled are false and deceptive (though a strict interpretation of the term would not necessarily have it mean either). As such, those who are labelled as practicing or advocating a "pseudoscience" almost always reject this classification, and often the distinction itself.

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Some critics of pseudoscience consider some or all forms of pseudoscience to be harmless entertainment. Others, such as Richard Dawkins and Carl Sagan, consider all forms of pseudoscience to be harmful, whether or not they result in immediate harm to their followers. These critics generally consider that advocacy of pseudoscience may occur for a number of reasons, ranging from simple naïveté about the nature of science and the scientific method, to deliberate deception for financial or political benefit.

Related Topics:
Richard Dawkins - Carl Sagan

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