non-scientific
Not empirically based
Non-scientific describes methods, claims, or approaches that don't follow scientific methodology—lacking systematic observation, controlled testing, or peer review.
The term may be neutral non-scientific interests like art and philosophy or dismissive non-scientific nonsense.
Context determines whether it simply means outside science's domain or failing to meet its standards.
Unverified secondhand information
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- word-of-mouthInformation shared through conversation
- testimonialStatement praising someone's qualities
secondhand · unverified · informal · casual · observational · impressionistic · unsystematic · cherry-picked
Divination by celestial positions
- tarotDivination card set
- occultConcealed from view
- divinationForetelling through mystical means
- supernaturalBeyond natural explanation
psychic · clairvoyance · telepathy · omen · prophecy · horoscope · palmistry · numerology
Guess from limited facts
- hypotheticalAssumed but unproven
- unprovenNot yet established
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
- guessworkConclusions drawn without proof
supposition · inference · postulation · extrapolation · projection · prediction · presumption · surmise
Digestive tract, or instinct
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
- hunchUnproven inner sense
- intuitionInstinctive immediate understanding
- premonitionAdvance sense of future events
insight · visceral · instinctual · innate · perceptive · subconscious · feeling · natural
Inherited cultural narratives
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- mythTraditional explanatory tale
- fableMoral tale with animals
- taleSpoken or written narrative
lore · tradition · ancestral · saga · parable · proverb · oral-history · custom
Subjective personal belief
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
perspective · sentiment · viewpoint · personal · emotional · partial · prejudiced · one-sided
hearsay
Unverified secondhand information
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- word-of-mouthInformation shared through conversation
testimonial · secondhand · unverified · informal · casual · observational · impressionistic · unsystematic · cherry-picked · circumstantial
astrology
Divination by celestial positions
- tarotDivination card set
- occultConcealed from view
- divinationForetelling through mystical means
supernatural · psychic · clairvoyance · telepathy · omen · prophecy · horoscope · palmistry · numerology · crystal-gazing
conjecture
Guess from limited facts
- hypotheticalAssumed but unproven
- unprovenNot yet established
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
guesswork · supposition · inference · postulation · extrapolation · projection · prediction · presumption · surmise · speculation
gut
Digestive tract, or instinct
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
- hunchUnproven inner sense
- intuitionInstinctive immediate understanding
premonition · insight · visceral · instinctual · innate · perceptive · subconscious · feeling · natural · empathic
folklore
Inherited cultural narratives
tale · lore · tradition · ancestral · saga · parable · proverb · oral-history · custom · tribal
opinion
Subjective personal belief
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
- interpretationAssigned meaning
judgment · perspective · sentiment · viewpoint · personal · emotional · partial · prejudiced · one-sided · impressionistic
non-scientificscientific
Of or using research methods
empirical · evidence-based · experimental · methodological · systematic
non-scientificpeer-reviewed
Evaluated by field experts
scholarly · replicated · published · credentialed · verified
non-scientificrational
Governed by logic
logical · secular · materialist · naturalistic · skeptical