pseudosciences
Masquerades as knowledge
Pseudosciences are fields of study that present themselves as scientific but lack the methodology, evidence standards, or reproducibility that define genuine science.
Astrology, phrenology, and homeopathy are classic examples—they use scientific-sounding language and may have elaborate systems, but their claims don't hold up to rigorous testing.
The term is dismissive: Calling something a pseudoscience is fighting words in academic circles.
Divination by celestial positions
- numerologyMystical significance of digits
- homeopathyDiluted-substance alternative medicine
- phrenologySkull-bump personality assessment
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
tarot · dowsing · palmistry · reflexology · graphology · biorhythms · rebirthing · anthroposophy
Diluted-substance alternative medicine
- chiropracticSpine-focused alternative medicine
- acupunctureTherapeutic needle insertion
- cuppingSkin suction healing method
- detoxSubstance removal process
antivax · colonics · bloodletting · trepanation · chelation
Fraudulent medical practice
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- pseudointellectualOne feigning scholarly depth
scam · disinformation · misinformation · deception · gullibility · exploitation · profiteering · manipulation
Study of extrasensory phenomena
- cryptozoologyPursuit of unproven creatures
- ESPParanormal mental faculty
- telepathyDirect mental communication
- psychokinesisMind-powered object manipulation
clairvoyance · precognition · mediumship · channeling · seance · ectoplasm · Bigfoot · chupacabra
Proving claims false
- falsifiabilitySusceptibility to disproof
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
- rationalismReason as knowledge source
- skepticOne who doubts claims
Sagan · scrutiny · verification · replication
astrology
Divination by celestial positions
- numerologyMystical significance of digits
- homeopathyDiluted-substance alternative medicine
- phrenologySkull-bump personality assessment
alchemy · tarot · dowsing · palmistry · reflexology · graphology · biorhythms · rebirthing · anthroposophy · reiki
homeopathy
Diluted-substance alternative medicine
- chiropracticSpine-focused alternative medicine
- acupunctureTherapeutic needle insertion
- cuppingSkin suction healing method
detox · antivax · colonics · bloodletting · trepanation · chelation
quackery
Fraudulent medical practice
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
pseudointellectual · scam · disinformation · misinformation · deception · gullibility · exploitation · profiteering · manipulation · credulous
parapsychology
Study of extrasensory phenomena
- cryptozoologyPursuit of unproven creatures
- ESPParanormal mental faculty
- telepathyDirect mental communication
psychokinesis · clairvoyance · precognition · mediumship · channeling · seance · ectoplasm · Bigfoot · chupacabra · levitation
debunking
Proving claims false
- falsifiabilitySusceptibility to disproof
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
- rationalismReason as knowledge source
Sagan · skeptic · scrutiny · verification · replication
pseudosciencessciences
Organized bodies of knowledge
hard sciences · natural sciences · physics · chemistry · biology
pseudosciencesempiricism
Knowledge through observation
critical thinking · critical inquiry · scientific method · academic disciplines · philosophy