How Science Works

Given this site is very heavily science-driven, we’ll want to define what science is and how it works: To the uninitiated, science is simply the least shitty explanation of how things work. That doesn’t mean some sciences aren’t shitty explanations, just that they’re the least shitty compared to other available explanations.

Let’s clear up some terms and concepts…

Fact vs. Belief

A fact is a verifiable statement established purely from observation of things in the real world. Under the conditions it was observed, a fact is always true. Unlike facts, beliefs may or may not be true and often cannot be verified. Facts are the bedrock of science, where beliefs play no part in science at all.

Science is always verifiable and falsifiable. The same cannot be said of beliefs.

• Fact: The Sun rose today.
  • Verifiable/Falsifiable? – Yes, I can verify or falsify the Sun’s presence in the sky with facts.
• Belief: The Sun will rise tomorrow.
  • Verifiable/Falsifiable? – No, I have no factual way to verify or falsify what has not occured. The Sun rising tomorrow is a virtual certainty, sure, but it’s not a fact; even beliefs based on facts are still beliefs!

A “Hypothesis”

A hypothesis, or “hypothetical thesis,” is simply an educated guess, prediction, or explanation that hasn’t been factually verified yet.

“Theory” vs. “Scientific Theory”

Although powerful, the English language is one of the more confusing and complex languages out there. Many English words have multiple meanings depending on tone and context, including the word “theory.” In common conversation, “theory” often means “guess.” For example, “I have a theory about why Sharon doesn’t like John.” This is, of course, speculation about Sharon and there’s nothing rigorous or scientific about it.

However, within the realm of science, theories are factually-driven explanations so well established that no new evidence is likely to alter them (theories of gravity, evolution, plate tectonics, etc). But even these scientific theories are not set in stone and can be updated with new evidence or disproven altogether, although this is rare.

“Just a theory.”

Many folks ignorant of the distinctions above may refer to well-founded scientific theories (such as the theory of evolution) as “just a theory.” This is inaccurate, as the theory of evolution is founded on a vast gathering of factual evidence and is not a belief or opinion whatsoever; the theory is literally a reflection of reality.

Laws

(Scientific) Laws are similar to theories, only they’re far more specific. Where a theory is an overarching explanation containing many supporting facts, a law might express the relationship between only a few variables. This is why you often see laws expressed as an equation. A theory does not “graduate” into a law at some point – theories and laws will always remain theories and laws, respectively. Additionally, certain theories may contain multiple laws. For example, the theory of evolution contains Dollo’s law of irreversibility, among many others.

Science is Not About “Why”

Science is a method, not a result or often even an explanation in itself. Science answers the “how,” but has very little to do with the deeper “why.” For example, science tells us “how” gravity works to an extreme degree of precision (rocket science, calculating orbital trajectories, GPS technologies, etc.), but it can’t tell us “why” gravity exists.

This lack of “why” is often frustrating to folks without an education in the sciences because humans are naturally more interested in the “why” than the “how.” The “how” can lead to new understandings and even useful inventions, but only the “why” can complete our understanding of a thing. This is why folks often feel the need to fill in the gaps with their own beliefs – unanswered questions represent the unknown, which people naturally fear and feel discomfort towards.

In fact, the “why” has always been the domain of belief and philosophy, not facts and science. Yet, if science can fill in enough of the “how” puzzle pieces, it could eventually lead us to the “why.” After all, we didn’t know why people got sick and died seemingly randomly until the advent of germ theory.

Science is Not About “Proving”

You can’t “prove” anything with science because science doesn’t deal in absolute truths. Science is merely the least shitty (verifiable) explanation of how something works. It can be falsified with contradictory factual evidence, but never proven absolutely. That’s the whole point of science – to keep itself flexible so it can adapt to any and all newly discovered facts. “Proofs” would only hinder our acceptance of new contradictory evidence, and thus hinder the optimization of science and our understanding of the natural world.

Science vs. Pseudoscience

Pseudoscience is an attempt to gain the credibility that comes with science for some financial or politically-related purpose. Note the differences in process below:

The Five-Question Pseudoscience Test

Here’s a useful mental tool I use to quickly identify bad (pseudo) science. If any single question below is answered with a “yes,” then it’s pseudoscience.

1. Is it unverifiable, unfalsifiable, and/or irreproducible?
2. Have attempts been made to obfuscate methods or results?
3. Are significant logical fallacies or cognitive biases present?
4. Did it evade expert peer review prior to publication or after?
5. Is contradictory data rejected?

Why is pseudoscience dangerous?

Generally, those with a reasonable education in the sciences don’t have too much to fear from pseudoscience directly. The indirect danger comes from democratic societies being uneducated to the extent that large portions of their populations actually believe pseudoscience is true. Then they’ll vote accordingly, often to the detriment of true scientific endeavors.

Pseudoscience, which is most often the peddling of misinformation and false hope, is usually about money or some form of political manipulation. It’s good to call it out or ask questions when you recognize it.

Here are just a few of the unfortunately common pseudosciences out there:

• Astrology – belief that one can divine information about human affairs and terrestrial events by studying the movements and relative positions of celestial objects.
• Homeopathy – belief that illnesses can be treated by substances that in a healthy person produced similar symptoms to the illness, in extremely low concentrations, with the therapeutic effect increasing with dilution and repeated shaking (Samuel Hahnemann invented it in the 18th century as an alternative to bloodletting).
• Alchemy – belief that matter can be transformed in certain processes, notably resulting in metal turning to gold and the creation of a universal elixir (“philosopher’s stone”).
• Phrenology – belief that measuring bumps on the skull can be used to predict mental traits.
• Polygraph – belief that using a device that measures and records several physiological indicators such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while a person is asked and answers a series of questions can yield objective information about their truthfulness.
• Numerology – belief in the divine or mystical relationship between a number and one or more coinciding events.
• Quantum Mysticism (“Quantum Woo”) – belief that quantum mechanics is related to spirituality and consciousness.
• Scientology – Set of beliefs invented by quack and con man L. Ron Hubbard in the mid 20th century. Most notably, that we’re all actually spirits trapped on Earth after being bombed inside volcanoes by a galactic overlord named “Xenu” (yes, really). The church of scientology is a cult and has been convicted for fraud by the US government.
• Feng Shui – belief that one can use energy forces to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment.
• Chiropractic – belief that mechanical manipulation of the spine and joints have curative properties. Invented by Daniel David Palmer, a grocery store owner in the 19th century, who claimed he healed a janitor of deafness after adjusting the alignment of his back. Chiropractic procedures, particularly the non-modernized variety, are frequently associated with mild to moderate adverse effects, with serious or fatal complications in rare cases.
• Acupuncture – belief that involves pricking the skin or tissues with needles; used to alleviate pain and to treat various physical, mental, and emotional conditions. Can cause dangerous infections or transmit disease if needles are not sterilized properly.
• Naturopathy & Vitalism – belief that living bodies are fundamentally different from non-living matter and thus require alternative treatments (homeopathy, acupuncture, herbalism, etc.). Naturopathy is considered by the medical profession to be ineffective and harmful and naturopaths have been repeatedly accused of being charlatans and practicing quackery by the modern medical industry.