1. PSEUDOSCIENCE
Stuff that looks like science but isn’t

2. Definitions
Pseudoscience: a set of claims that seems scientific but isn’t
Apophenia: perceiving meaningful connections between random phenomena
Confirmation bias: tendency to seek out evidence that supports our hypotheses and ignore evidence that contradicts it
Belief perseverence: Sticking to our beliefs, no matter what (even with contradictory evidence).

3. What is science? Not a body of knowledge It’s an approach to evidence
Characterized by critical thinking
Characterized by scientific skepticism (evaluating all claims with an open mind but insisting on persuasive evidence before accepting them)

4. Principles of Scientific Thinking
Ability to be falsified/disproved
Ability to be replicated
Ability to rule out other explanations
Ability to be sure that “A” causes “B”
Ability to back up extraordinary claims with equally extraordinary evidence
In general, have the ability to be the simpler explanation for the data (called “Occam’s razor”)

5. What about things that can’t be scientifically tested?
Metaphysical claims: assertions about the world that are outside the realm of scientific testing
Examples: belief in God, the soul, the afterlife
Not considered pseudoscientific.