The Demarcation Problem: What distinguishes Science from Pseudoscience?

Synopsis

Throughout the history of science, the intellectual landscape has been filled with competing theories that are deemed pseudo-scientific. From benign theories such as astrology (the study of how cosmic entities impact human affairs) to more malignant theories such as phrenology (the study of how skull shape is related to human cognition), pseudo-scientific theories have appeared in nearly every field. These theories often claim to be scientific but lack a rigorous scientific method.

From this distinction the demarcation problem arises. What, if anything, specifically distinguishes a scientific theory from a pseudoscientific theory? In this presentation I will outline different explanations that attempt to clarify this boundary. This very distinction between science and pseudoscience is crucial in performing good science and understanding when our scientific theories drift from scientific practice.