The Hidden Costs of "Pseudoscience" Criticism
In life, there are times when you finally finish your long and hard work on a project and decide to launch it into production.
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The public reacts differently. Ethical types usually start congratulating you, and it’s pleasant but well-deserved — you worked hard, and your project has earned some kind words. But today’s discussion is not about them; it’s about certain logical types who tend to operate with theoretical constructs while having minimal practical experience. These individuals often work as “experts,” albeit unlicensed and without academic degrees, but with large audiences and media influence.
These folks thrive on the work of practitioners, without having real projects of their own, which they can then tear apart with theoretically sound but often highly unrealistic criticism. Scientists, whose work is also quite abstract, often suffer from this as well. They take on reviewing projects outside their area of expertise. Even more common are academics who have dedicated their careers solely to teaching and have never stepped into the field. Yet, they are considered “licensed” scholars.
The Issue of Pseudoscience
The issue I want to address in this brief note primarily concerns such critics with significant media clout but often no real knowledge of the subject matter.
As you may have guessed, this so-called issue is “pseudoscience.” The term “pseudoscience” has been aggressively promoted by these “licensed” academics mentioned above — i.e., non-specialists in the fields they discuss.
Mainly, the promotion of this term is a basic biological attempt by a living organism to grab a larger share of the pie. It must be said, this often succeeds — the rejection of disciplines like psychology by some representatives of the natural sciences has its effects. At the very least, psychology, like all other full-fledged humanities, doesn’t develop as intensively as the natural sciences.
In my personal view, formed over more than 25 years in science, this happens for many reasons, but the key reason is the attacks of the “physicists” on the “lyricists.” It’s quite challenging to attract young people to universities who consider psychology not as a serious and fundamental science but rather as a future profession or fate.
Nevertheless, there are disciplines in our civilization that are not sciences but still hold a crucial place in ensuring the normal functioning of society. Medicine, management, law, education, and culinary arts are among them. These disciplines, although not sciences, are somehow not regularly criticized by “scientists” for being pseudoscientific. Moreover, each of these disciplines has its own history and essentially constitutes an industry, with its technologies, procedures, terminology, and more.
Recognition of Diverse Disciplines
It's important to acknowledge that not all disciplines significant to society are sciences. Medicine, management, law, education, and culinary arts play a key role in society and should be respected for their contributions.
The term “pseudoscience” is often used to discredit disciplines where critics lack expertise. This undermines the development of humanities such as psychology and reduces their appeal to young scholars.
Importance of Practical Experience
There should be greater respect for the work of practitioners who apply theoretical knowledge in practice. Practitioners play a crucial role in developing and implementing new technologies and methodologies.
Interdisciplinary Approach
Solving complex modern problems requires an interdisciplinary approach, combining the knowledge and methods of various sciences and disciplines. This demands respect and recognition of the value of different fields of knowledge.
Supporting Young Specialists
To advance sciences and disciplines, it’s essential to attract and support young specialists, providing them with opportunities for research and practical work.
Recognizing the significance and importance of various disciplines, respecting the work of practitioners and scholars, and supporting interdisciplinary collaboration will create the conditions for progress and the prosperity of society.