Which criterion best distinguishes science from pseudoscience?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When distinguishing science from pseudoscience, several criteria are often discussed in philosophy of science. 
Option a: Must be widely accepted by the public. In reality, scientific status does not depend on public popularity or consensus; many well-supported theories were not initially widely accepted, and pseudoscientific ideas can gain public traction without being scientifically valid.
Option b: Must be falsifiable or make testable predictions. This aligns with the principle of falsifiability popularized by Karl Popper, which states that for a claim to be scientific, it must be testable in a way that could, in principle, show it false; thus it makes predictions that can be empirically tested. This criterion helps separate testable, refutable claims from untestable assertions typical of pseudoscience.
Option c: Must have historical roots. Historical origin does not determine science; some modern scientific ideas emerged recently, while some pseudoscientific claims may invoke ancient roots; historical lineage is not a reliable discriminator.
Option d: Must align with cultural beliefs. Alignment with culture is not a hallmark of science; science seeks evidence-based explanations that may contradict cultural beliefs, and many scientifically robust theories have challenged cultural norms, showing that cultural alignment is not a defining feature.
Option e: Must use complex terminology. The use of jargon or complexity is not a criterion of science; simple, testable ideas can be scientific, whereas some pseudosciences disguise unfalsifiable claims with technical language. The essential factor is testability and falsifiability, not terminology complexity.

CCST9086_1A_2025 Quiz5

Which criterion best distinguishes science from pseudoscience?

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