Science
Science is a human's effort to understand the world around them. This is done through observation and experimentation. There are two main characteristics of science:
1. Taking in observations and forming those into knowledge.
2. Analyzing and using the information to relate that to everyday life.
Science is "knowledge attained through study or practice" according to Webster's dictionary. Science uses the Scientific Method to use the knowledge attained and using it to solve rational problems that occur in the everyday world. Some of these fields are Biology (help disease and health issues), Geologists (help with natural catastrophes), and Chemistry (help with alternate forms of energy [nuclear] and medical [medicinal drugs].
The conclusions are realistic and tentative. They form facts based on observation and back them up using knowledge and evidence.
In general, Science is the formation of knowledge from observation and use.
Pseudoscience
Pseudoscience is a type of "science" in which there are no developed theories. There is very little advancement in the field, and many top researchers in the field are resistant toward any counterarguments toward the current beliefs. The facts that they have are not supported by any true scientific background and there is little proof that any ideas are true. The terms aren't heavily defined and are very "Cloudy" when it comes to explaining what the reasoning means. Pseudoscience is more about "mysteries and phenomenon". The theories are not "falsifiable," or they cannot be proven false. They are mostly incident-related assumptions that are only applicable to the current situation and are not consistent with all of the other beliefs in the field.
Some of these fields are:
Astrology, Crop Circles, Dianetics, Homeopathy, Perpetual Motion, and Quantum Mysticism.
Comparing Science and Pseudoscience
Generally, science is organized and openly shares their facts, Pseudoscience does not. Science begins with a problem and begins to correct it, pseudoscience begins with a hypothesis and begins to explain it. Science believes and stands against facts, pseudoscience relies on sysematic beliefs that may only work with one incident. Science is generally unchanging, the facts stay the same until a large discovery is made. Pseudoscience is constantly changing with each and every day; nothing stays the same for what seems every 2 years. Pseudoscientists never check up on each other and will generally assume things are done correctly the first time. Scientists are always looking for ways to prove that their theory or hypothesis is correct. Pseudoscience is a very changing world that is constantly moving. Science stays where it is generally until a new huge discovery is made, and until then, the beliefs are tested and tested again.
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12 comments:
Perpetual Motion is contrary to the first two laws of Thermodynamics. Its premise is convert thermal energy into mechanical work. A good example of a perpetual motion machine is the pendulum hanging in the Museum of Science and Industry downtown in one of their stairways. The pendulum hangs from stories above and is very large. It has been going as long as the museum has been open, and unless gravity ceases, it should continue infinity.
Perpetual Motion is a part of physics and is been proven/not proven which makes it part of science. I’m curious, what makes you say it’s a pseudo-science? Excellent review.
Perpetual motion is a pseudoscience because it rarely occurs in nature. Are there many other examples of perpetual motion? If so, what are they?
This was very interesting and well put. Nice job Billy. I thought you explained both science and pseudoscience very well. It was overall a good compare and contrast.
I was happy to see different types of psuedosciences because I couldn't find any. It's interesting that crop circles are psuedoscience because it seems there are so many people that think it's science. Very thorough comparison, I learned more from it. :)
When I hear pseudoscience, I always think back to my Science and Pseudoscience class I took as an undergrad. I enjoyed learning about Ugi Geller's "mind over matter" with spoon-bending, sublimal advertising in the 1950's, and the theory of Occam's Razor. Are you familar with these apsects?
Bill-
I think you may be referring to perpetual motion machines. If so, then you're corrent. Gavity always interfers with motion. Perpetual motion is all over... think about the earth rotating on its axis, think about the planets rotating around our Sun, or the moon rotating around Earth. Those are facts, not science fiction.
I was wondering about where some things are categorized. Such as deep-sea animals and their behaviors. This example is something that science has hypothesized because it cannot study these animals in their environment, but I wouldn’t think that they are considered pseudoscience even though they can’t be proven with current technology.
this was a really good post. i liked how you used a lot of detail to explain the differences between the two, like how you pointed out how pseudoscientists never make really any progress. nice work.
Billy~
I really liked the format you used to describe the difference between the two. I definitely learned a lot for yours compared to the others. Great job.
You did an excellent job on this post. It is extremely thorough and educational. I think you put your comparison together beautifully. I am curious though as to whether you think social sciences are science or pseudoscience? Also, what is your opinion on pseudoscience and its role in society(if you think it has one)? Anyway, excellent post and keep up the awesome work!
~Lindsey~
Great blog. There was a lot of good information that you used. I especially liked how you talked about the different types of "jobs" in science in psueodscience. The information was also very helpful. Good Job
The one and only
Nick
Wow Billy you explained everything really well! It was very informative and I think I learned more from reading your blog than I did while researching! Very nicely done :)
-SarahAnn
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