Antiscience

Main thing

Antiscience is the stance that opposes scientific findings and methods.

People who hold antiscience views often disagree with established scientific consensus. They may not trust scientific methods or results. This can lead to the spread of false information and can harm both individuals and society. For example, someone might not believe in the scientific evidence for climate change.

Antiscience manifests in different forms:

• Pseudoscience, which consists of statements, beliefs, or practices that claim to be both scientific and factual but are incompatible with the scientific method.

• Conspiracy theories, which involve the belief that powerful groups are secretly working together to achieve sinister goals.

• Confirmation bias, the tendency to seek out and interpret information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs.

Terms

• Science - the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. Example: using the scientific method to test a hypothesis about the boiling point of water.

• Scientific method - a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses. Example: a scientist using the scientific method to study the effects of a new drug on a disease.

• Pseudoscience - a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method. Example: astrology, which claims celestial objects influence human affairs.

• Scientific consensus - the collective judgment, position, and opinion of the community of scientists in a particular field of study. Example: the scientific consensus that Earth is a sphere.

• Confirmation bias - the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one's prior beliefs or values. Example: an antiscience individual might only seek out information that supports their views.

An analogy

Antiscience is like a person who refuses to use a map when navigating a new city. Just as the map represents the accumulated knowledge and experience of many people, science represents the accumulated knowledge and evidence gathered by many researchers. Ignoring the map and relying on one's own beliefs or intuitions can lead a person astray, just as ignoring scientific evidence can lead to misguided decisions and beliefs.
Example: A person who rejects medical advice in favor of unproven alternative treatments is engaging in antiscience behavior, much like someone who ignores a map and gets lost.

A main misconception

Many people confuse skepticism with antiscience. Skepticism is a key part of the scientific method, which involves questioning and critically evaluating evidence. Antiscience, on the other hand, is the outright rejection of scientific evidence and methods.
Example: Someone who rejects the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of vaccines, claiming that they cause autism, is engaging in antiscience, not skepticism.

The history

1. 1633 - Galileo Galilei is tried and convicted of heresy by the Roman Catholic Church for his support of the Copernican theory that the Earth revolves around the Sun.

2. 1925 - The Scopes "Monkey" Trial takes place in the United States, where a high school teacher is accused of violating a state law by teaching evolution.

3. 1998 - Andrew Wakefield publishes a fraudulent study in The Lancet suggesting a link between the MMR vaccine and autism, fueling the modern anti-vaccination movement.

4. 2016 - The term "post-truth" is chosen as the Oxford Dictionary's Word of the Year, reflecting the rise of antiscience attitudes in politics and media.

"Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world." - Louis Pasteur, renowned French chemist and microbiologist, famous for his groundbreaking work in germ theory and vaccine development.

Three cases how to use it right now

1. When reading news articles or social media posts about scientific topics, verify the information by checking if it comes from reputable scientific sources, such as peer-reviewed journals or well-established scientific organizations. Don't simply accept claims that contradict scientific consensus without investigating further.

2. When making decisions about your health, such as whether to vaccinate your children or take a certain medication, consult with qualified medical professionals and rely on scientific evidence rather than anecdotes or unsubstantiated claims found online.

3. When engaging in discussions or debates about scientific issues, such as climate change or evolution, argue based on evidence and data rather than personal beliefs or opinions. Be open to changing your views if presented with compelling scientific evidence that contradicts your current understanding.

Interesting facts

• A 2018 study found that the flat Earth community on YouTube grew by 600% between 2017 and 2018, demonstrating the rapid spread of antiscience ideas online.

• In 2019, the World Health Organization listed vaccine hesitancy as one of the top 10 threats to global health, largely due to the influence of antiscience misinformation.

• A 2020 survey found that 66% of Americans believe that climate change is caused by human activities, while 44% believe that God created humans in their present form within the last 10,000 years, showing the persistence of antiscience beliefs in the face of scientific evidence.

• The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a surge in antiscience attitudes, with a 2020 study finding that belief in conspiracy theories was associated with reduced adherence to public health guidelines like social distancing and mask-wearing.

• Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, a 2019 Gallup poll found that only 65% of Americans believe that smoking causes cancer, demonstrating the ongoing challenge of combating antiscience attitudes.