Philosophical musings on Quanta & Qualia; Materialism & Spiritualism; Science & Religion; Pragmatism & Idealism, etc.
Post 128. May 7, 2023
Evolution of Pseudoscience
Faith versus Evidence
The point of this post is not to diminish the distinction between Empirical Science and Alternative sciences, but to note that prejudicial labels are often applied for socio-political (or creedal) reasons instead of objective rational facts. For example, Physiological Science usually has a sound empirical basis. But many bodily problems stem from psycho-social issues, that are resistant to physical interventions. For legal and ethical reasons though, most mainstream (allopathic) doctors avoid using “sham” placebos. Yet other mind-pleasing methods can be adopted without violating ethics³ ⁴. In any case, the difference-maker may be faith, not physics.
Practitioners of alternative medicine typically believe that their interventions are either directly or indirectly responsible for reported improvements. However, according to original Homeopathic theory, the effectiveness of their medicines (potency) is inversely related to proportion of drug to dilutant. In other words, the less medicine the better. Homeopathic meds are usually offered in a range from 6X to 30X. Physically, at a 12-to-one ratio (0.0833%) of dilution & succussion (X), there can be no actual molecules of medicine in the bottle. However, the same ingredient at less than 3X (1/3), could concievably have some actual minimal herbal effects, as opposed to magical effects. Faced with that mathematical fact, some defenders of the hypothesis, suggest a physical effect due to an additional hypothetical “water memory” or intangible “vital energy”⁵. Credence placed in such speculative features of nature is divided between believers & unbelievers according to general worldview. In any case, faith & trust in the practice or practitioner seems to be the main ingredient in a successful intervention⁶.
The faith component is also what provokes both Political (us vs them) and Religious (sectarian creeds) reactions. For example, a practitioner of Acupuncture might accept the “Vital Energy” notion, but reject the “Water Memory” conjecture. The supposed medical effects of certain herbs might be different for practitioners of Asian Ayurveda and European Homeopathy⁷. In any case, they use completely different Materia Medica texts. If they could agree on a single authority, they might begin to approach modern Empirical credentials. Ironically, the word “credential” refers to degree of belief or confidence, not to the proven facts. Nevertheless, the intent of this post is not to promote credulity or blind faith, but to advise humility & modesty when judging unorthodox or alternative beliefs & practices, based on alternative philosophical or religious worldviews.
6. Placebo Medicine : The author states the case that placebos are not as innocuous as once thought. Rather, this otherwise inert intervention can produce both symptom relief and negative side-effects. Even more, there are other components of the placebo intervention, such as therapeutic interaction that may affect the degree of the response. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2391024/
7. The Energetics of Western Herbs : A Materia Medica Integrating Western and Chinese Herbal Therapeutics
Much of what we now call Pseudo-science was once the cutting edge of knowledge about how the world works. For example, Isaac Newton was an alchemist, among other endeavors to shed light on the occult and to dispel mysteries. So those who are quick to label ancient ideas as “fake” science, would be well advised to place their modern science on the scales of history. What seems true today, might be deemed false tomorrow. For example at the beginning of the 20th century, most physicists were Materialists, on a quest to find the Holy Grail of the ultimate atom of matter. But, a century later, the Atom has been replaced in physical calculations by immaterial mathematical Fields. Reference : :https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton%27s_occult_studies
If you have that kind of faith in faith, you don’t need dynamite & bulldozers. But a placebo might help
1. Anti-rationalism : “Beliefs opposed to the ideas of rationalism (= the belief or principle that actions and opinions should be based on reason rather than emotion or religion). Anti-rationalism is the idea that there are no such things as evidence or fact, just opinion.” https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/anti-rationalism
2. Religious Rationality : Christian Theology was originally & specifically based on ancient Greek standards of reasoning. But its premises are derived from biblical or church authority. The rational methods remain the same, but the facts & premises also remain embalmed in a sacred history.
3. Scientific Rationality : Logical reasoning based on empirical evidence. In practice, some premises are derived from majority consensus opinions (including feelings) instead of proven facts. A premise is generally accepted as a true statement, but may not be actually proven or provable.
For example : the Homeopathic hypothesis that increased dilution (of medicine to water ratio) enhances potency is not accepted by physical scientists. The Law of Similars (hair of the dog that bit you) implies that administration of diluted Lead should cure lead poisoning. But how it works is left to the imagination. Hence both premises are deemed irrational and magical thinking.
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