In short with some examples. (I don't wikipedia it's very long and hard to understand).
2007-02-08 00:13:08 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Pseudo science is reasoning that claims to be based
on sound scientific principles, but is really just using
the terminology without the research rigor.
The term has become generalized to simply mean
"bad science". If I say that "9 out of 10 doctors agree
that ...", I am cloaking myself with pseudo science.
Why? First off, I am not saying how I got my 10
doctors - they may all work for me. Secondly, their
personal opinions are not the issue - the facts that
should have effected their decision making are the
issue - but they aren't talking about the facts, they
are talking about what their 10 pet doctors think.
However, to date, I don't think anyone has successfully
used real, raw scientific data in an ad. Consumers
can't (or won't) handle it.
Ultimately, the standard concepts of grade-school
science still apply: You create a theory, you propose
tests to prove or disprove that theory, you perform those
tests and modify the theory appropriately. If your theory
doesn't hold up to scrutiny, get another theory.
Lots of big words does not make science - in fact,
the pointless use of lots of big words just makes science
more opaque.
2007-02-08 00:15:14 · answer #1 · answered by Elana 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pseudoscience is something that is not based in fact like real science but people like to treat it as though it were. The study of paranormal things like ghosts and spells and telekinetic powers, astrology etc. get treated as reality by some people and have claims and theories that are not based in any fact. They are based solely on personal testimonies. Basically it's a belief that masquerades as a real science.
2007-02-08 08:19:32 · answer #2 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pseudoscience is basically fake science. Usually this kind of science is founded on distorted logic, non sequiturs, marketing, fringe science, non-falsifiability, and other kinds of broken logic. Science itself is based on the scientific method: Observation, Prediction, Experiment, Conclusion. If a "science" avoids the scientific method, it can be labeled as a pseudoscience.
2007-02-08 12:08:43 · answer #3 · answered by frenzee2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a field of study that pretends to be scientific, but doesn't follow the rigorous scientific method to actually test the beliefs or tenets of the field.
One example is astrology. Astrologists claim the pull of the planets influence a person's personality and talents. However, the planets are so far away, and their gravitational pull is so weak that they can't be felt here on earth. Your neighbor's car has more gravitational pull on you, but you never hear anyone claim to be a born leader because their neighbor drives a Lexus, do you?
2007-02-08 08:21:26 · answer #4 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The type that you see in religious books like Quran and Bible. They tell you some thing. You believe it. There is no proof. And no questions asked
2007-02-09 23:20:39 · answer #5 · answered by kenneth h 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything that appears to be scientific, but is not really scientific. Alchemy and Astrology fall into that category.
2007-02-08 08:22:49 · answer #6 · answered by Gee Wye 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Science fiction, fantasy, fairy tales
Th
2007-02-08 17:50:54 · answer #7 · answered by Thermo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Darwinian evolution would be a good example.
2007-02-08 08:21:48 · answer #8 · answered by Rob D 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋