pseudo-scientist
Charlatan in labcoat
A pseudo-scientist is someone who claims scientific authority while ignoring or misusing scientific methods.
The term is dismissive—it implies the person dresses up unsubstantiated ideas in scientific-sounding language: The pseudo-scientist cited cherry-picked studies to support his claims about miracle cures.
Unlike a scientist who got something wrong, a pseudo-scientist systematically avoids rigorous testing and peer review.
Fake healer or fowl noise
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- fakeNot the real thing
- impostorOne feigning another's identity
- hucksterAggressive, unscrupulous peddler
mountebank · sham · pretender · con-artist · deceiver · hoaxer · phony · grifter
Eccentric with strange ideas
- crankRotary operating handle
- kookEccentric or strange person
- eccentricUnconventional in character
- maverickIndependent-minded rule-breaker
outsider · amateur · dilettante · self-taught · unorthodox · heterodox · contrarian · renegade
Dilution-based medicine practitioner
- astrologerZodiac interpreter
- phrenologistPseudoscientific skull shape interpreter
- alchemistPractitioner of proto-chemistry
- cryptozoologistSeeker of unproven creatures
ufologist · parapsychologist · numerologist · graphologist · dowser · naturopath · reflexologist · chiropractor
Choosing only supporting examples
- unfalsifiableImpossible to prove wrong
- anecdotalBased on casual observation
- testimonialStatement praising someone's qualities
- misinterpretationIncorrect understanding of meaning
quack
Fake healer or fowl noise
huckster · mountebank · sham · pretender · con-artist · deceiver · hoaxer · phony · grifter · flimflam
crackpot
Eccentric with strange ideas
maverick · outsider · amateur · dilettante · self-taught · unorthodox · heterodox · contrarian · renegade · dissident
homeopath
Dilution-based medicine practitioner
- astrologerZodiac interpreter
- phrenologistPseudoscientific skull shape interpreter
- alchemistPractitioner of proto-chemistry
cryptozoologist · ufologist · parapsychologist · numerologist · graphologist · dowser · naturopath · reflexologist · chiropractor · mesmerist
cherry-picking
Choosing only supporting examples
- unfalsifiableImpossible to prove wrong
- anecdotalBased on casual observation
- testimonialStatement praising someone's qualities
pseudo-scientistscientist
One who studies nature
researcher · empiricist · experimentalist · methodologist · natural philosopher
pseudo, scientist, pseudoscience, pseudoscientific, science, scientific, scientifically, sciences, scientists