What distinguishes science from pseudoscience? This question is deceptively simple, and yet crucially important. It turns out that both scientists and philosophers have had an exceedingly hard time articulating so-called "demarcation criteria," the conditions that separate science from pseudoscience. This is an important issue because pseudoscience is all over modern society, and imposes costs ranging from the resurgence of diseases because of anti-vaccination movements to the rising of global temperatures while an ideologically divided political class sits idle. In this talk I will explore the fascinating landscape separating science, pseudoscience, and borderline examples of disciplines that may turn out either way. Pseudoscience, I think, is like pornography: hard to define exactly, but clearly recognizable in its manifestations.
Massimo Pigliucci
CUNY - The City University of New York
The event is held in English.
Have a look at Pigliucci's most recent book: Philosophy of Pseudoscience: Reconsidering the Demarcation Problem.
NB: Massimo Pigliucci will also participate at the Kristine Bonnevie lectures.