Pseudo-science is considered a system of beliefs practiced based on personal, commercial, cultural, or ideological grounds. Pseudo-science involves reasoning claimed to be scientific but lacks the carefully controlled and thoughtfully interpreted experiments and sound or cogent reasoning associated with science's true methods and essence (Novella, 2019). When considering science, there are various similarities and differences between it with pseudo-science. Some of the factors that both pseudo-science and science have in common include their own technical language to describe various phenomena. They are both drawn from an intellectual and reflector point to remain informative to the target mind by exalting evidence. However, pseudo-science and science have differences. The first difference between science and pseudo-science is the goal, with science aiming to achieve a more complete and unified understanding of the physical world, whereas else pseudo-science aims at achieving the legitimacy of a claim, which would not be able to achieve on its own terms. Another difference that exists between science and pseudo-science is attitude. The difference in attitude entails pseudo-science being set up to find and provide evidence that upholds its claims, while science challenges its assertions by seeking evidence that might prove its claims as false. Therefore, pseudo-science tends to be based on evidence for confirmation, while science is based on falsification evidence (Stemwedel, 2011). The claims made in science are falsifiable since they are assertions that one can stipulate the observable outcomes can be impossible if the assertions are true. On the other side, the pseudo-science claims can be true if they fit any set of observable outcomes that can be imaginable. Another major difference between science and pseudo-science is that sciences are testable, while pseudo-science is not. While a test can be conducted to show whether a scientific claim is true or false, no conceivable test can be conducted to show if a pseudo-science claim is true or false (CrashCourse, 2016). The other differences that exist between science and pseudo-science are based on true and justified factors. If the claim can be tested or falsified, it is possible to determine if it is true or justify it. Scientific claims can be tested and falsified, making it possible to determine if they are true, which cannot be achieved with pseudo-science claims ( inFact with Brian Dunning, 2013) . Scientific claims can also be justified based on good reasons and arguments supporting the claim and believing the claim, which cannot be achieved with pseudo-science claims. Examples of pseudo-science are related to various concepts, including paranormal concepts such as dowsing, which is believed to be a technique of locating water, metals, or precious stones beneath the ground by a true practitioner using a diving rod. Another example is channeling, a belief or practice that involves communicating with a spirit through a person. Both examples of pseudo-science lack carefully controlled and thoughtfully interpreted experiments and lack cogent reasoning based on natural science phenomena that can contribute to its advancement. However, most people want to accept pseudo-science as true. Some of the reasons people want to believe in pseudo-science include a lack of a good understanding of science, making it easy for them to believe pseudoscientists who present their claims in science-based language or theories. People also believe in pseudo-science due to its ability to offer claims that solve most individuals' problems, such as miracle cures and communicating with dead loved ones. Since it's trusted individuals or experts who make the most pseudo-science claims in their field of expertise, they influence people to accept or believe pseudo-science (Belmont, 2011). However, their belief in pseudo-science is dangerous as it is preoccupied with the demarcation problem, which affects the nature of truth and false (Pigliucci and Boudry, 2013). Pseudo-science can result in the loss of money, lives, and social and ethical standards, which can devastate livelihoods.
References
Belmont, B. (2011). Michael Shermer - The Threat of Pseudo-science. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv4KtAnjqzU
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CrashCourse. (2016, March 28). Karl Popper, Science, & Pseudo-science: Crash Course Philosophy #8. YouTube . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X8Xfl0JdTQ
inFact with Brian Dunning. (2013, April 14). 5 Ways to Tell Science from Pseudoscience. YouTube . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3SLiQFdKnA&list=PLQJAA1t_KC4eICZ4salPJUG-9x3ajhHr-
Novella, S. (2019). How Can We Differentiate Between Science and Pseudoscience? The Great Courses Daily. https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/how-can-we-differentiate-between-science-and-pseudoscience/
Pigliucci, M., and Boudry, M. (2013). The Dangers of Pseudo-science. The New York Times . https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/10/the-dangers-of-pseudoscience/
Stemwedel, J. (2011). Drawing the line between science and pseudo-science. Scientific America . https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/doing-good-science/drawing-the-line-between-science-and-pseudo-science/#:~:text=While%20a%20pseudo%2Dscience%20is,confirmations%20and%20science%20seeks%20falsifications.
