Science or Pseudoscience?

What is Pseudoscience? “False” science. Claims to be scientific or at an even higher level than science. Fails to comply with the usual scientific tests. Inconsistent with existing, well- established scientific knowledge.

Claims Require Independent Testing Pseudoscientific claims are based on a non- evidential style of belief. Many pseudoscientific claims are never tested scientifically. When pseudoscientific claims are tested, methods, conclusions are questionable. Others cannot replicate test “successes.” Excuse given of “fragility” of phenomena.

What’s Your Sign? Tally how many participants choose their own sign and how many do not. Consider if the findings are significant.

Criticisms of Astrology Do NOT need to copy Constellation names & limits are arbitrary Ophiucus, Cetus omitted from Zodiac Original signs, constellations out of step Planets are not “in” constellations There is no single moment of birth Doctor exerts greater G force than planets If many vague predictions are made, it is impossible to always be wrong

Why Investigate Pseudoscience? Do NOT need to copy Teach relevant science concepts. Clarify what science is (and is not). Engage students in scientific inquiry. Engage students in scientific thinking. Improve creative and critical thinking. Help develop an evidential style of belief. Equip students to evaluate future pseudoscientific claims, e.g., media.

A Thought Do NOT need to copy “The dogmatism of science--the tendency to interpret facts in light of theories--is not absolute but relative. What distinguishes science from pseudoscience is … that scientists stand ready to give up one dogma for another should the evidence warrant it. Pseudoscientists refuse to give up their dogmas regardless of the evidence against them” (R. Carroll).

Nature of a Scientific Theory/Explanation Do NOT need to copy Consistent with itself and with other accepted theories. Sparing in entities and assumptions. Testable and falsifiable. Based on repeated, controlled experiments. Altered in accord with new discoveries. Admits possible error rather than certainty. Remember….C.O.N.P.T.T.

Scientific Evidence Do NOT need to copy Scientific claims must be based on scientific evidence. Scientific evidence results from experience, reasoning, use of instruments, others. Empirical evidence of the senses, unassisted or assisted, is fundamental. Warrant for a claim refers to the quality of evidence with respect to the claim, e.g., “likely that” vs “possible that”.

Evaluating the Quality of Scientific Evidence To what degree does the evidence support the claim (e.g., “a lot”, “a little”)? How secure is the evidence itself, independent of the claim? How much relevant evidence is there (e.g., one test vs many tests)?

“I Saw Bigfoot” Do NOT need to copy Many pseudoscientific claims are based on personal, anecdotal evidence. Are essentially second hand stories: “I saw Bigfoot.” “I was abducted by aliens.” Problems: Very hard to verify or test Essentially unfalsifiable Collected in a haphazard way/filtered Argument from authority

Occam’s Razor Do NOT need to copy When we are faced with more than one hypothesis that explains the data equally well, we choose the simpler explanation. A hairy creature in the woods is more likely a bear than Bigfoot. An unknown object in the sky is more likely a balloon than a flying saucer. “When you hear hoof beats, think of horses not zebras.”

Alternative Explanations of the Evidence Do NOT need to copy Non-occurrence of the event: It didn’t happen. Human error, e.g., mistaken observations and/or inferences. Fraud/trickery, e.g., fake Bigfoot photos, stage magic masquerading as ESP. Chance, e.g., coincidental events, a long run of heads in coin flipping. Science.

Could This Be Pseudoscience? Claim is first publicized thru mass media. Claim is sensational and exaggerated. Evidence for the claim is anecdotal. Claim contradicts known scientific principles. Claim uses scientific-sounding terminology in non- scientific ways.

Is a Pseudoscientist Making This Claim? Claimant has worked alone. Claimant says methods of discovery and testing the claim are secret. Claimant says the ruling elite is trying to suppress the claim. Claimant appeals to false authority. Claimant says a belief is reliable because it is ancient. Claimant seeks publicity and profits.

Examples of Pseudoscience Mental Powers: ESP, mind reading, precognition, psychic surgery, auras Spirit World: contacting the dead, ouija board, channeling, astral travel, astrology Natural Mysteries: dowsing, Atlantis, crop circles, Bigfoot, Loch Ness monster Aliens & UFOs: flying saucers, Roswell, alien abductions, Men in Black http://research.omicsgroup.org/index.php/List_of _topics_characterized_as_pseudoscience