Big Idea 2:
The Characteristics of
Scientific Knowledge
Description :
A: Scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence and is appropriate for
understanding the natural world, but it provides only a limited understanding
of the supernatural, aesthetic, or other ways of knowing, such as art,
philosophy, or religion.
B: Scientific knowledge is durable and robust but open to change.
C: Because science is based on empirical evidence it strives for objectivity, but
as it is a human endeavor, its processes, methods, and knowledge of science
include subjectivity, as well as creativity and discovery.
Benchmark Number &
Descriptor
SC.8.N.2.1
 Distinguish between scientific and
pseudoscientific ideas.
 SC.8.N.2.2
 Discuss what characterizes science and its
methods.

Believe it or Not?
TRUE SCIENCE







It means understanding the
nature of science
Having specified criteria of
evidence
Designing meaningful
experiments
Testing of hypotheses
Draw reliable conclusions
about the physical universe
Theories can change as
new knowledge is gained.
The knowledge is reliable
because it is continually
tested and retested.
http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/0_0_0/howsci
enceworks_02
Pseudoscience




A theory, methodology, or
practice that is considered to
be without scientific
foundation
Usually lacks carefully
controlled and thoughtfully
interpreted experiments
The idea is usually politically
or ideologically biased.
Types of pseudoscience
◦ commercial advertising – “99.9%
pure”
◦ pathological science – correct
answer comes after the publicity
Scientific Ideas

The literature is aimed at the general public. There is
no review, no standards, no pre-publication verification,
no demand for accuracy and precision.

Results cannot be reproduced or verified. Studies, if any,
are always so vaguely described that one can't figure
out what was done or how it was done.

Failures are ignored, excused, hidden, lied about,
discounted, explained away, rationalized, forgotten,
avoided at all costs.

As time goes on, more and more is learned about the
physical processes under study.
No physical phenomena or processes are ever found or
studied. No progress is made; nothing concrete is
learned.

Convinces by appeal to the evidence, by arguments
based upon logical and/or mathematical reasoning, by
making the best case the data permit. When new
evidence contradicts old ideas, they are abandoned.
Convinces by appeal to faith and belief. Pseudoscience
has a strong quasi-religious element: it tries to convert,
not to convince.You are to believe in spite of the facts,
not because of them. The original idea is never
abandoned, whatever the evidence.

Generally earns some or all of his living by selling
questionable products (such as books, courses, and
dietary supplements) and/or pseudoscientific services
(such as horoscopes, character readings, spirit
messages, and predictions).

Their findings are expressed primarily through scientific
journals that are peer-reviewed and maintain rigorous
standards for honesty and accuracy.

Reproducible results are demanded; experiments must
be precisely described so that they can be duplicated
exactly or improved.




Pseudoscientific Ideas
Failures are searched for and studied closely, because
incorrect theories can often make correct predictions
by accident, but no correct theory will make incorrect
predictions.
Does not advocate or market unproven practices or
products.
Is that Scientific?
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/pseudo.html)
Knowledge Check

1. What does pseudoscience lack?

2. What process does traditional science
follow?

3. Why does pseudoscience appeal to the
population?
Knowledge Check

1. What does pseudoscience lack?
◦ Carefully controlled and thoughtfully interpreted
experiments

2. What process does traditional science
follow?
◦ Scientific method

3. Why does pseudoscience appeal to the
population?
◦ Usually because people want a quick fix to a
problem