Falsity Finding Guide
GAINING A NEW PERSPECTIVE
Here are some key phrases to watch
out for when identifying pseudoscience:
“Science can’t explain it”
This phrase is common in pseudoscience, and is used to create mystery to draw you in and appeal to your sense of wonder. Paradoxically, they will often try to convince you of their idea through “experiments” or “proof” made out to be gathered in a scientific matter, when in reality it was not.
Pseudoscientists will often use the “Galileo argument,” comparing themselves to Galileo, as his theory that the world revolved around the sun was rejected in his lifetime, but is now accepted. This is flawed as Galileo was thought wrong by a religion that favored pseudoscience that Galileo’s findings contradicted. His theory was tested and verified by scientists and accepted by them, as it is nearly always impossible to do with pseudoscience.
“They thought Galileo was wrong too”
“Everyone knows that…”
This phrase uses public acceptance as support, which is often invalid and unreliable. Public opinion and “common sense” are not usable scientific evidence, although pseudoscience will often make them out to be.
How can you identify it?
Pseudoscience is dangerous, and it is everywhere.
Pseudoscience-a discipline or approach that pretends to be or has a close resemblance to science (dictionary.com)