Transcript Slide 1

I can believe anything,
provided it is incredible.
- Oscar Wilde (Picture of Dorian Gray,
1891)
Science and pseudoscience
Webpage for course (daytime)
Lecture 15
Webpage for course (nighttime)
What is Science?
What is not science?
What is an education?
What is Science? - Scientific Method
Question
Observations
Explanations
Testing
Publish results
What is not Science?
Pseudoscience
Dousing (waterwitching)
Bigfoot (Sasquatch)
Bermuda Triangle
Loch Ness (and other) monsters
Ancient Astronauts
Lost Continents
Pyramid Power
Astrology
Palmstry, numeralogy, phrenology
ESP
Crop circles
Ghosts
Aura
etc.
Crystal Power
“stone” “healing properties”
Agates
balancing & grounding both
physically and emotionally. Improves selfacceptance, leading to raised consciousness.
Amethyst Centers and balances energy. Aids in
sobriety, protects from harm.
Carnelian Develops balanced power and
control. Also increases fertility.
Malachite Powerful emotiojnal amplifier in tune
with nature’s living energy.
Flourite Helps to develop mental clarity.
Crystal Power
Wait! These are testable claims!
Astrology
Bermuda Triangle
http://www.bermudastyles.com/bermuda/th
e-bermuda-triangle.php&h
USS Cyclops
Torpedo bombers
Occam’s Razor
Crop Circles
http://www.catkinlodge.fsnet.co.uk/STONE%
2520CIRCLES%2520ETC.htm&usg
UFOs
Comparison of Science and
Pseudoscience writing
Science, journal
Author, with address
Precise information
citation of sources
peer-reviewed
Pseudoscience, for
profit news/mag
“russian scientist”
ambiguous
no sources
What is an education?