Science
* Empirically Based: Science relies on observations and experiments to gather evidence and test hypotheses. It seeks to explain the natural world through evidence that can be observed, measured, and verified.
* Falsifiable: Scientific hypotheses and theories must be falsifiable, meaning that they can be potentially proven wrong by evidence. This is crucial for scientific progress and self-correction.
* Peer Reviewed: Scientific findings are subject to rigorous peer review by other experts in the field, ensuring quality control and a critical examination of the research process.
* Objective: Science strives for objectivity, minimizing personal biases and seeking explanations that are independent of individual beliefs or perspectives.
* Cumulative: Science is a cumulative process, building upon previous knowledge and constantly refining its understanding of the world.
* Tentative: Scientific conclusions are tentative, always open to revision and refinement as new evidence emerges.
* Explanatory: Science aims to explain phenomena, providing testable explanations for observed patterns and relationships.
Pseudoscience
* Anecdotal Evidence: Pseudoscience often relies on anecdotal evidence, personal experiences, and testimonials, which are not reliable or verifiable.
* Unfalsifiable Claims: Pseudoscientific claims are often not falsifiable, meaning they cannot be tested or disproven by evidence. They may rely on vague or subjective interpretations.
* Lack of Peer Review: Pseudoscientific claims often bypass peer review, relying on self-promotion or selective dissemination of information.
* Subjective: Pseudoscience often reflects personal beliefs, biases, and preconceptions rather than objective observation.
* Stagnant: Pseudoscience rarely progresses or refines its claims, often relying on unchanging ideas.
* Dogmatic: Pseudoscientific beliefs are often held dogmatically, rejecting evidence that contradicts their claims.
* Explanatory through Belief: Pseudoscience may provide explanations for phenomena but these explanations are not based on evidence and are often presented as unchangeable truths.
Examples
* Science: Evolutionary theory, plate tectonics, the germ theory of disease, the laws of physics.
* Pseudoscience: Astrology, homeopathy, creationism, crystal healing.
Key takeaway:
Science is a rigorous, evidence-based approach to understanding the world, while pseudoscience relies on speculation, anecdotal evidence, and unfalsifiable claims. Science is a self-correcting process, while pseudoscience often resists criticism and evidence that contradicts its beliefs.
