Pseudoscience

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Pseudoscience
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Science v. Pseudoscience

• Best way to understand critical thinking is by
  comparison to the opposite -- pseudoscience
• Today we will be talking about 10 Characteristics
  of Pseudoscience

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What is pseudoscience?

• The line between science and pseudoscience is not
  always clear because they cover some of the same
  information
• Key distinction between the two is NOT content
  (i.e., whether claims are factually correct) but
  rather in the approach to evidence.

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10 Characteristics of Pseudoscience

• None of the 10 characteristics by itself means
  its pseudoscience
• Each can be conceptualized as a warning sign
• The more warning signs, the more likely it is
  pseudoscience

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1 - Outward Appearance of Science

• Pseudoscientists may use language that sounds
  scientific, but it lacks evidence or substance
• Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking
  does this violate?

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2 - Absence of Skeptical Peer Review

• Pseudoscience employs token or nonexistent
  skepticism
• Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking
  does this violate?

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3 - Reliance on Personal Experience

• Pseudoscience relies on anecdotal and testimonial
  evidence to substantiate claims
• Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking
  does this violate?

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4 - Evasion of Risky Tests

• Pseudoscientists avoid experiments that have a
  high likelihood of disproving their hypothesis
• Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking
  does this violate?

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5 - Retreats to the Supernatural

• Pseudoscience relies on explanations that cannot
  be observed or measured.
• Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking
  does this violate?

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6 - The Mantra of Holism

• Pseudoscience avoids drawing meaningful
  distinctions that can be investigated
• Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking
  does this violate?

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7 - Tolerance of Inconsistencies

• Pseudoscientists ignore logical contradictions
• Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking
  does this violate?

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8 Appeals to Authority

• Pseudoscientists ask others to rely on their
  say-so instead of empirical evidence
• Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking
  does this violate?

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9 - Promising the Impossible

• Pseudoscience is unbounded by reality
• Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking
  does this violate?

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10 - Stagnation

• Pseudoscience avoid demonstratable progress in
  accumulating knowledge
• Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking
  does this violate?

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Gallup Poll about various Beliefs
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Wide range of Magical/Mystical Beliefs

• Extrasensory Perception (ESP)
• Tarot Card Reading
• Fortune Telling
• Graphology
• Telekinesis/psychokinesis
• Remote viewing
• Communication with the dead (and again)
• Faith Healing
• Psychic Surgery
• Satanic Cults
• Past Life Regression