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'''Pseudoscience''' is a [[methodology]], [[belief]], or [[practice]] that is claimed to be [[scientific]], or that is made to appear to be scientific, but which does not adhere to an appropriate scientific methodology,[1][2][3][4] lacks supporting [[evidence]] or plausibility,[5] or otherwise lacks scientific [[status]].[6] The term comes from the Greek prefix pseudo- (false or pretending) and "[[science]]" (from Latin scientia, meaning "[[knowledge]]"). An early recorded use was in 1843 by French physiologist François Magendie,[7] who is considered a pioneer in [[experiment]]al physiology.

'''Pseudoscience''' is a [[methodology]], [[belief]], or [[practice]] that is claimed to be [[scientific]], or that is made to appear to be scientific, but which does not adhere to an appropriate scientific methodology,[1][2][3][4] lacks supporting [[evidence]] or plausibility,[5] or otherwise lacks scientific [[status]].[6] The term comes from the Greek prefix pseudo- (false or pretending) and "[[science]]" (from Latin scientia, meaning "[[knowledge]]"). An early recorded use was in 1843 by French physiologist François Magendie,[7] who is considered a pioneer in [[experiment]]al physiology.

The term is inherently [[pejorative]], because it is used to assert that something is being inaccurately or deceptively portrayed as [[science]].[8][9] Accordingly, those labeled as practicing or advocating a "pseudoscience" normally dispute this characterization.[10] There is disagreement among [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_science philosophers of science] and among commentators in the scientific [[community]] about whether there is a reliable [[objective]] way to distinguish "pseudoscience" from non-mainstream "science".[11]

The term is inherently [[pejorative]], because it is used to assert that something is being inaccurately or deceptively portrayed as [[science]].[8][9] Accordingly, those labeled as practicing or advocating a "pseudoscience" normally dispute this characterization.[10] There is disagreement among [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_science philosophers of science] and among commentators in the scientific [[community]] about whether there is a reliable [[objective]] way to distinguish "pseudoscience" from non-mainstream "science".[11]

Professor Paul DeHart Hurd[12] argued that a large part of gaining scientific literacy is "being able to distinguish science from pseudo-science such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrology astrology], quackery, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occult occult], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstition superstition]".[13] As it is taught in certain introductory science classes, pseudoscience is any subject that appears superficially to be scientific, or whose proponents state that it is scientific, but which nevertheless contravenes the testability requirement or substantially deviates from other fundamental aspects of the [[scientific method]].[3][14][15][16][17][18]

Professor Paul DeHart Hurd[12] argued that a large part of gaining scientific literacy is "being able to distinguish science from pseudo-science such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrology astrology], quackery, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occult occult], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstition superstition]".[13] As it is taught in certain introductory science classes, pseudoscience is any subject that appears superficially to be scientific, or whose proponents state that it is scientific, but which nevertheless contravenes the testability requirement or substantially deviates from other fundamental aspects of the [[scientific method]].[3][14][15][16][17][18]

Pseudoscience has been characterised by the use of vague, exaggerated or untestable claims, over-reliance on confirmation rather than refutation, lack of openness to testing by other experts, and a lack of [[progress]] in theory development.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudo-science]

Pseudoscience has been characterised by the use of vague, exaggerated or untestable claims, over-reliance on confirmation rather than refutation, lack of openness to testing by other experts, and a lack of [[progress]] in theory development.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudo-science]

==References==

==References==

# "Pseudoscientific - pretending to be scientific, falsely represented as being scientific", from the Oxford American Dictionary, published by the Oxford English Dictionary.

# "Pseudoscientific - pretending to be scientific, falsely represented as being scientific", from the Oxford American Dictionary, published by the Oxford English Dictionary.

# For example, Hewitt et al. Conceptual Physical Science Addison Wesley; 3 edition (July 18, 2003) ISBN 0-321-05173-4, Bennett et al. The Cosmic Perspective 3e Addison Wesley; 3 edition (July 25, 2003) ISBN 0-8053-8738-2

# For example, Hewitt et al. Conceptual Physical Science Addison Wesley; 3 edition (July 18, 2003) ISBN 0-321-05173-4, Bennett et al. The Cosmic Perspective 3e Addison Wesley; 3 edition (July 25, 2003) ISBN 0-8053-8738-2

# See also, e.g., Gauch HG Jr. Scientific Method in Practice (2003)

# See also, e.g., Gauch HG Jr. Scientific Method in Practice (2003)

# The [http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind06/c7/c7s2.htm National Science Foundation] adopts the definition of (Shermer, 1997): "claims presented so that they appear [to be] scientific even though they lack supporting evidence and plausibility" (Shermer 1997, p. 33). In contrast, science is "a set of methods designed to describe and interpret observed and inferred phenomena, past or present, and aimed at building a testable body of knowledge open to rejection or confirmation" (Shermer 1997, p. 17). Shermer M. (1997). Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time. New York: W. H. Freeman and Company. cited by National Science Foundation (official report) (2006). "Science and Technology: Public Attitudes and Understanding". Science and engineering indicators 2006.

# The [https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind06/c7/c7s2.htm National Science Foundation] adopts the definition of (Shermer, 1997): "claims presented so that they appear [to be] scientific even though they lack supporting evidence and plausibility" (Shermer 1997, p. 33). In contrast, science is "a set of methods designed to describe and interpret observed and inferred phenomena, past or present, and aimed at building a testable body of knowledge open to rejection or confirmation" (Shermer 1997, p. 17). Shermer M. (1997). Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time. New York: W. H. Freeman and Company. cited by National Science Foundation (official report) (2006). "Science and Technology: Public Attitudes and Understanding". Science and engineering indicators 2006.

# "A pretended or spurious science; a collection of related beliefs about the world mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method or as having the status that scientific truths now have.", from the Oxford English Dictionary Second Edition 1989.

# "A pretended or spurious science; a collection of related beliefs about the world mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method or as having the status that scientific truths now have.", from the Oxford English Dictionary Second Edition 1989.

# Magendie, F (1843) An Elementary Treatise on Human Physiology. 5th Ed. Tr. John Revere. New York: Harper, p 150. Magendie refers to phrenology as "a pseudo-science of the present day" (note the hyphen).

# Magendie, F (1843) An Elementary Treatise on Human Physiology. 5th Ed. Tr. John Revere. New York: Harper, p 150. Magendie refers to phrenology as "a pseudo-science of the present day" (note the hyphen).

# The philosopher of science Paul Feyerabend in particular is associated with the view that attempts to distinguish science from non-science are flawed and pernicious. "The idea that science can, and should, be run according to fixed and universal rules, is both unrealistic and pernicious. ... the idea is detrimental to science, for it neglects the complex physical and historical conditions which influence scientific change. It makes our science less adaptable and more dogmatic:"[1]

# The philosopher of science Paul Feyerabend in particular is associated with the view that attempts to distinguish science from non-science are flawed and pernicious. "The idea that science can, and should, be run according to fixed and universal rules, is both unrealistic and pernicious. ... the idea is detrimental to science, for it neglects the complex physical and historical conditions which influence scientific change. It makes our science less adaptable and more dogmatic:"[1]

# Memorial Resolution: Paul DeHart Hurd. [2] retrieved 8 April 2009

# Memorial Resolution: Paul DeHart Hurd. [2] retrieved 8 April 2009

# Hurd, P. D. (1998). "Scientific literacy: New minds for a changing world". Science Education, 82, 407–416.. Abstract online at http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/32148/ABSTRACT; retrieved 6 November. 2006

# Hurd, P. D. (1998). "Scientific literacy: New minds for a changing world". Science Education, 82, 407–416.. Abstract online at https://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/32148/ABSTRACT; retrieved 6 November. 2006

# For example, a course is offered at the University of Maryland entitled [http://www.honors.umd.edu/HONR228A/ "Science & Pseudoscience"] [3]

# For example, a course is offered at the University of Maryland entitled [https://www.honors.umd.edu/HONR228A/ "Science & Pseudoscience"] [3]

# [http://www.h-net.org/announce/show.cgi?ID=161371 Pseudoscience, Scientism, and Science: A Short Course]

# [https://www.h-net.org/announce/show.cgi?ID=161371 Pseudoscience, Scientism, and Science: A Short Course]

# [http://www.eric.ed.gov:80/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ648113&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ648113 The Teaching of Courses in the Science and Pseudoscience of Psychology: Useful Resources]

# [https://www.eric.ed.gov:80/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ648113&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ648113 The Teaching of Courses in the Science and Pseudoscience of Psychology: Useful Resources]

# [http://www.physics.ccsu.edu/larsen/honors120.htm HON 120 Natural Sciences and Society Spring 2006 Dr]

# [https://www.physics.ccsu.edu/larsen/honors120.htm HON 120 Natural Sciences and Society Spring 2006 Dr]

# [http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/pseudo/scipseud.htm What is science? What is pseudoscience?]

# [https://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/pseudo/scipseud.htm What is science? What is pseudoscience?]

[[Category: Philosophy]]

[[Category: Philosophy]]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]