SCIENCE
The word "science" comes from the Latin word "scientia," which means "having knowledge," that is, "to know."
Pseudoscience claims to be scientific, but does NOT abide by the rules of science. Pseudoscience is unscientific. Some aspects of pseudoscience may, in fact, be anti-science.
According toWebster's New Collegiate Dictionary, science is defined as:
1a: possession of knowledge as distinguinshed from
ignorance or misunderstanding
1b: knowledge attained through study or practice
2a: a department of systematized
knowledge as an object of study
2b: something that may be studied or learned like systematized knowledge
2c: one of the natural sciences
3a: knowledge covering general
truths or the operation of general laws esp. as obtained and tested through
scientific method
3b: such knowledge concerned with the physical world and its phenomena
4: a system or method based upon scientific principles.
Thus, science is that pursuit of knoweldge based upon the scientific method which includes the following:
All other pursuits, by definition, are non-science.
Belief is defined by Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary as:
1: a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence
is placed in some person or thing
2: something believed; specifically: a tenet or body of tenets held by a group
3: conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or
phenomenon esp. when based ib examination of the evidence
Scientists are expected to critically examine and demand evidence for all beliefs. Beliefs should be formed only AFTER looking at the evidence.
If you are offended by criticism of cherished beliefs, stop here and do NOT "click" to the next page.
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If you wish to peruse various websites that deal with pseudoscience and the criticism of cherished beliefs, then "click" here: Think about it!
last updated 4/27/2003