VitorMSAlmeida.pt

Since the 20th century, a psychologist has proposed a definition of what constitutes science and the scientific method. According to him, any knowledge, however obtuse, is science.

The scientific method is a systematic process for obtaining knowledge, based on observation, hypothesis formulation, testing, and analysis of results. It is a logical approach that ensures that findings are objective, reproducible, and free from personal interpretations. Thus, there are no preconceived ideas (unlike pseudosciences), no search for results, only simple and pure interpretation of the results without any external interference.

In science, error or abnormality is the main driving force for initiating new questioning and research. In “pseudo-sciences,” however, error and abnormality are used to hide, conceal, and ignore because they are not in anyone’s interest, as they would devalue or contradict the results they initially seek to demonstrate.

Steps of the Scientific Method:
– Observation: Identify a problem or phenomenon to be investigated.
– Question: Formulate a specific question related to the observation.
– Hypothesis: Propose a probable explanation for the phenomenon (hypothesis).
– Prediction: Based on the hypothesis, make a prediction about the results of a test.
– Test: Conduct an experiment or study to test the prediction.
– Analysis and Conclusion: Analyze the results and draw conclusions about whether the hypothesis was confirmed or rejected.
– Feedback: Use the results to formulate new hypotheses and predictions.

Furthermore, the system under test (the experiment) must be closed, meaning that all variables of the system are known and controlled. If they are not, it means that the results are biased (choosing the variable that interests the observer), wrong, and without any value.

Characteristics of the Scientific Method:
– Objectivity: The scientific method seeks objectivity in observations and results, avoiding personal or subjective interpretations. Therefore, only numerical data and data from closed systems (mitigated external influence) are accepted.
– Reproducibility: The results must be reproducible by other researchers, allowing for the validation of the findings.
– Testability: Hypotheses must be testable through experiments or studies.
– Rigor: The scientific method requires rigor in the research steps, from formulating the question to analyzing the results; variables cannot be chosen separately.
– Systematic: The scientific method is a systematic process, following a sequence of steps to guarantee the validity of the results.
– Focus: The effort of analysis and research lies in the error and discrepancy of results.
– Types of Scientific Methods: Quantitative Methods: Use numerical data and statistics to analyze phenomena without human interference.

Common errors of pseudosciences (such as psychology, politics, medicine, law, anthropology, history, etc.):
– The focus is not on error; they try to do the opposite and force the framing of their theories.
– Qualitative Methods: Use descriptive data, such as interviews and observations, to analyze phenomena. They are not valid because they are sub-objective; it is an open system and cannot be reproduced at any time. Bad news for pseudo-“sciences” such as psychology, politics, and others.

– Example 1: In a sample of humans (therefore, in an open system), a relationship was observed between the increase in lung cancer among smokers. However, since it is an open system, the same increase was also observed among non-smokers, and a similar relationship was found with the increase in cable TV, that is, cable TV causes lung cancer (or any other variable, as it is not relevant to the “quality” of the study).

– Example 2: Denying the method of these pseudosciences, defecating is a science because it fulfills all the points used by them. It fails scientifically because there is external interference, which is the animal in question, preventing total analysis and reproducibility. But anyway, that’s what they have in their brains.

– Example 3: Country A with US$90,000/pc grows 2% per year and country B with US$15,000/pc grows 4% per year (something that is frequently seen on TV). Which one grew more? The error is B with 4%, but Anyone with even a basic understanding of mathematics knows that you can’t compare unrelated variables (even if they have the same names) because A grew 2% from 90000 = 1800 and B grew 4% from 15000 = 600, meaning that for the geniuses of “pseudo-human sciences” and “pseudo-studies,” and journalists, 600 is greater than 1800. It’s chronic and serious stupidity.

Example of the scientific method:
Eratosthenes’ experiment: More than 2,000 years ago (around 240 BC), the mathematician and astronomer Eratosthenes observed, looking at the sea, that the horizon was slightly below the angle of 90 degrees (pi/2) and that, since the Earth was flat, it must have exactly this value (detection of error or abnormality and beginning of possible questions). Therefore, the question arose: If it is not flat, what is its shape? Thus, he proved the sphericity of the Earth and calculated its circumference. He noticed that, during the summer solstice in the city of Syene (present-day Aswan), the sun shone perfectly vertically, without casting a shadow. At the same moment, in Alexandria, a vertical stake cast a shadow. The difference in the angles of incidence of sunlight is only possible on a curved surface. The precision of the calculated values ​​could only be surpassed in the 19th century.

Conclusion:

Thinking is forbidden, and using mathematics is even more so; because unfortunately today we live in scientific obscurantism (deceiving someone by presenting what they are not in order to gain credibility), just like in the Middle Ages, where names are adulterated, errors and lies are propagated officially in order to achieve the personal objectives of some in a less honest way.