Describe how pseudoscience is related to common errors in reasoning: First choose two errors of reasoning you will discuss and then define them. Then, define pseudoscience. Last, describe how pseudoscience is related to those two errors in reasoning.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The answers will vary since there are four errors in reasoning described in the book. However, the principles of pseudoscience that relate to errors in reasoning should resemble this: Pseudoscience is related to these errors in reasoning because pseudoscience directly relates to relying on findings that are based on these errors. If we based findings on these, it would not be science, but instead, it would fall under the classification of pseudoscience. Examples of two reasonings and how they relate to pseudoscience: Inaccurate observations, for instance, by relying on one person's perceptions would lead to pseudoscience because findings were not based on the scientific method and instead on one person's inaccurate observations. Similarly, if a researcher was resistant to change, he or she may engage in pseudoscience by relying on his or her preconceived notions while conducting the study. Or they may pick out the findings of the study that align with his or her beliefs, which would relegate this to pseudoscience rather than science.