Ancient aliens. Astrology. Flat Earth and UFO conspiracies. These are examples of pseudoscience, a belief system that masquerades as true science, but is far from it. To understand how pseudoscience works and why it’s so popular, you need a guide to recognizing it.
There are many possible definitions of “pseudoscience,” and some argue that the term should not be used at all. Perhaps the most useful definition of pseudoscience comes directly from its root words: the prefix “pseudo” is taken from the Greek word for “false,” so pseudoscience literally means “false science.”
But there’s something about certain practices, like ghost hunting and astrology, that make them seem like science, even though they lack the underlying structures. Pseudoscience is a practice that looks like science from the outside, but on closer inspection turns out to be nothing but science. And what makes a practice look like science? To the outside world, science appears to be defined by its complex math, unintelligible jargon, and dizzying array of gadgets and measuring devices.
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Pseudoscience uses the same set of surface-like features; pseudoscientific practices use their own kind of convoluted jargon, often involve an incredible amount of math, and even use strange and arcane measuring devices.
The soul of science
But the math, jargon, and gadgetry are just the “skin” of science—the superficial features most apparent to the outside world. In other words, these are the tools scientists use to do their jobs, just like construction workers use hammers and saws, or lawyers use legal orders and court motions.
However, these tools do not define the task. Instead, beneath the surface, science has a much deeper set of practices and traditions that separate science from pseudoscience.
While an analysis of what makes science great could take up an entire book, a few key features of the scientific mindset make the book stand out. First, science is rigorous, meaning scientists take their ideas seriously and try to explore the full logical consequences of each hypothesis. Science is also humble, because any theory, even one that has stood the test of time, can be proven wrong at any time.
Then science is skeptical and allows evidence to dictate beliefs – not the other way around. Science is also open, where methods and techniques should be shared and published among the wider community. Science is connected, which means that every statement a scientist makes must be linked to the wider knowledge of the entire community. Finally, science allows itself to evolve, with new evidence and ideas displacing previous beliefs.
Pseudoscience in the world
This distinction between the superficial features of science and the deeper core of science allows us to draw a line between pseudoscience and real science. Pseudo-scientific practices preserve the superficial features (the jargon, the math, or the gadgetry) while rejecting the rigor, the openness, the skepticism, and the connectedness.
For example, proponents of ancient aliens are not skeptical and ignore any evidence that contradicts their existing beliefs. On the other hand, SETI researchers often encourage skepticism, caution and careful analysis of data before drawing conclusions. Astrologers keep their methods secret. Flatlanders don’t connect their ideas to the broader understanding of how things work.
If you come across a belief system that looks like science on the face of it, but contradicts the underlying spirit of science, it’s probably pseudoscience. For example, if the statements of the belief system claim access to secret, inaccessible knowledge, then it is not open.
If it is static and unchanging, with evidence used to support the original belief and nothing else, then it does not evolve. If it’s conspiratorial and claims the “establishment” is trying to suppress it, then it’s disconnected from the wider knowledge community.
Once you’ve practiced enough, detecting pseudoscience is a piece of cake. It looks like science on the outside, but lacks the features that distinguish science as a powerful, vital way of exploring the inner workings of the universe.
