Pseudoscience

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

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.

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

#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?

#2 - Absence of Skeptical Peer Review Pseudoscience employs token or nonexistent skepticism Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking does this violate?

#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?

#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?

#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?

#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?

#7 - Tolerance of Inconsistencies Pseudoscientists ignore logical contradictions Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking does this violate?

#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?

#9 - Promising the Impossible Pseudoscience is unbounded by reality Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking does this violate?

#10 - Stagnation Pseudoscience avoid demonstratable progress in accumulating knowledge Which of the 7 Guidelines for Critical Thinking does this violate?

Gallup Poll about various Beliefs

Wide range of Magical/Mystical Beliefs Extrasensory Perception (ESP) Tarot Card Reading Fortune Telling Graphology Telekinesis/psychokinesis Remote viewing Communication with the deadCommunication with the dead (and again)again Faith Healing Psychic Surgery Satanic Cults Past Life Regression