What Makes Something 'Scientific'?
Science is a powerful tool. It has allowed us to cure diseases, travel to the moon, and understand the universe. Because science is so respected, some ideas try to borrow the language of science without following the rules. These are called pseudoscience.
What is Science?
Science is not just a collection of facts. It is a process for learning about the natural world based on evidence and logic. This process is the scientific method. Key features of good science include:
Testable and Falsifiable: A scientific idea must be able to be tested, and there must be some way to prove it wrong.
Based on Evidence: Scientific conclusions are based on data from carefully controlled experiments and observations.
Open to Change: Science is not dogma. When new evidence comes along that contradicts an old idea, the idea must be revised or discarded. Science is self-correcting.
Peer Review: Before a scientific study is published, it is reviewed by other anonymous, independent experts in the field to check for errors.
What is Pseudoscience?
Pseudoscience (the prefix pseudo- means 'false' or 'fake') is a collection of beliefs or practices that are presented as being scientific, but do not follow the scientific method.
Hallmarks of Pseudoscience (How to Spot It):
Vague or Untestable Claims: The claims are often stated in a way that makes them impossible to test. A claim like 'My energy crystals will make you feel better' is too vague to be tested scientifically.
Reliance on Anecdotes: Pseudoscience often relies on personal stories ('This worked for me!') instead of data from controlled studies. An anecdote is not the same as evidence.
Not Falsifiable: The claims are often set up so they can never be proven wrong. If a psychic's prediction doesn't come true, they might say 'your skepticism blocked my powers.' This makes the claim impossible to falsify.
Ignores Contradictory Evidence: When faced with evidence that disproves their claims, pseudoscientists tend to ignore it or make excuses.
Lack of Progress: Fields of pseudoscience do not change or develop over time. Astrology, for example, is practiced today almost exactly as it was 2,000 years ago, despite our massive advances in understanding the cosmos.
A Classic Example: Astrology
Astrology is the belief that the positions of the stars and planets at the time of your birth influence your personality and destiny. It is a classic example of pseudoscience.
Claims: Astrological predictions (horoscopes) are extremely vague ('You will face a challenge today').
Falsifiability: The vague claims can be interpreted to fit almost any event, making them impossible to prove wrong.
Evidence: When astrology has been put to the test in controlled scientific studies, it has been shown to be no more accurate at predicting personality or future events than random chance.
Progress: It has not changed its core ideas despite the discovery of new planets and a deeper understanding of astronomy.
Science is a humble process. It requires admitting when you're wrong and always being willing to change your mind based on evidence. Pseudoscience is the opposite; it starts with a belief and then looks only for evidence that supports it, ignoring everything that doesn't.