Sr A Pseudoscience

About the Book The book has an interesting topic that would attract curiosity. To read it only high school mathematics is needed. But physics concepts may be challenging. However, that is not a problem for those keen thinkers who pursue scientific truth with passion. Which giant will you stand by: Einstein or Newton? You would make the right decision after reading. There are 8 Sections in the main part of the book: In Section 1. The primary concepts of space and time are described. The most important concepts are “attached space”, “overlapping space” and “identity of universe instant”. GT (Galilean Transformation) is a natural product from the primary concepts of space and time and there is no room left for LT (Lorentz Transformation). In Section 2. Under Einstein’s Postulate of “absolute velocity of light”, LT is formally deduced. In searching the light wavefront sphere the missing light source system is found to be a normal Galilean system that would lead a group of Lorentz systems by determining their space and time through LT. That means LT totally relies on light source system. In Section 3. Using light source system as a stepping stone Lorentz system can be explored. It has been found that Lorentz space dilating outwards from its central plane while the systemic part of Lorentz time contracting toward the initial instant. However, the Transformation Principle of “identical spatial spot at identical instant” forbids these strange things happening, so that no way for LT to gain “real meaning”. In Section 4. The Assertion of “moving rod contracts and moving clock slower” and other paradoxes, as well as the relativistic mechanics, have been discussed and analyzed. It is ascertained that all are the product from a serious conceptual error of “applying LT wrongly on second party body”. In Section 5. It is recognized that, causing the so-called relativity of simultaneity, the local-time part of Lorentz time varies along the î-axis in Lorentz space at a universe instant t but, once preset at initial instant, would never change. That is a shocking finding that the Lorentz local-time actually is a false time of no flux, and hence the whole Lorentz time with a false part becomes untrustworthy. The consequence cannot be more serious. The whole building of SR would collapse immediately as a fundamental stone has to be withdrawn. In Section 6. The famous M-M Experiment has been re-interpreted carefully. After clarifying all historical mistakes involving the false concept of ether, the M-M Experiment is ascertained that, apart from negating the existence of ether, it confirms the concept of light source Galilean system but has no any support for SR. In section 7. The Doppler Effect of sound is introduced first for the sake of contrasting. Then light’s Doppler Effect is profoundly analyzed. Comes out a conclusion that Doppler Effect and SR’s Postulate are bound to be mutually exclusionary. It is another shocking finding that there would be no Doppler Effect for light if SR’ Postulate is true, but if light really has Doppler Effect then SR’s Postulate must be wrong. The existence of Doppler Effect in astronomy is unarguable evidence denying the Postulate and SR. In section 8. With so many fatal problems, SR has to be justified as a pseudoscience. In tracking Einstein’s path to SR, it is discovered that he proposed the Postulate without reasonable logic in first. No wonder SR would end in a verdict of a pseudoscience.

About the Book The book has an interesting topic that would attract curiosity. To read it only high school mathematics is needed. But physics concepts may be challenging. However, that is not a problem for those keen thinkers who pursue scientific truth with passion. Which giant will you stand by: Einstein or Newton? You would make the right decision after reading. There are 8 Sections in the main part of the book: In Section 1. The primary concepts of space and time are described. The most important concepts are "attached space", "overlapping space" and "identity of universe instant". GT (Galilean Transformation) is a natural product from the primary concepts of space and time and there is no room left for LT (Lorentz Transformation). In Section 2. Under Einstein's Postulate of "absolute velocity of light", LT is formally deduced. In searching the light wavefront sphere the missing light source system is found to be a normal Galilean system that would lead a group of Lorentz systems by determining their space and time through LT. That means LT totally relies on light source system. In Section 3. Using light source system as a stepping stone Lorentz system can be explored. It has been found that Lorentz space dilating outwards from its central plane while the systemic part of Lorentz time contracting toward the initial instant. However, the Transformation Principle of "identical spatial spot at identical instant" forbids these strange things happening, so that no way for LT to gain "real meaning". In Section 4. The Assertion of "moving rod contracts and moving clock slower" and other paradoxes, as well as the relativistic mechanics, have been discussed and analyzed. It is ascertained that all are the product from a serious conceptual error of "applying LT wrongly on second party body". In Section 5. It is recognized that, causing the so-called relativity of simultaneity, the local-time part of Lorentz time varies along the î-axis in Lorentz space at a universe instant t but, once preset at initial instant, would never change. That is a shocking finding that the Lorentz local-time actually is a false time of no flux, and hence the whole Lorentz time with a false part becomes untrustworthy. The consequence cannot be more serious. The whole building of SR would collapse immediately as a fundamental stone has to be withdrawn. In Section 6. The famous M-M Experiment has been re-interpreted carefully. After clarifying all historical mistakes involving the false concept of ether, the M-M Experiment is ascertained that, apart from negating the existence of ether, it confirms the concept of light source Galilean system but has no any support for SR. In section 7. The Doppler Effect of sound is introduced first for the sake of contrasting. Then light's Doppler Effect is profoundly analyzed. Comes out a conclusion that Doppler Effect and SR's Postulate are bound to be mutually exclusionary. It is another shocking finding that there would be no Doppler Effect for light if SR' Postulate is true, but if light really has Doppler Effect then SR's Postulate must be wrong. The existence of Doppler Effect in astronomy is unarguable evidence denying the Postulate and SR. In section 8. With so many fatal problems, SR has to be justified as a pseudoscience. In tracking Einstein's path to SR, it is discovered that he proposed the Postulate without reasonable logic in first. No wonder SR would end in a verdict of a pseudoscience.

Tells how to determine what is science, and looks at areas of conflict between science and pseudoscience, including the mind, the body, creation science, and astrology

This book provides a richly documented account of the historical, cultural, philosophical and practical dimensions of feng shui. It argues that where feng shui is entrenched educational systems have a responsibility to examine its claims, and that this examination provides opportunities for students to better learn about the key features of the nature of science, the demarcation of science and non-science, the characteristics of pseudoscience, and the engagement of science with culture and worldviews. The arguments presented for feng shui being a pseudoscience can be marshalled when considering a whole range of comparable beliefs and the educational benefit of their appraisal. Feng shui is a deeply-entrenched, three-millennia-old system of Asian beliefs and practices about nature, architecture, health, and divination that has garnered a growing presence outside of Asia. It is part of a comprehensive and ancient worldview built around belief in chi (qi) the putative universal energy or life-force that animates all existence, the cosmos, the solar system, the earth, and human bodies. Harmonious living requires building in accord with local chi streams; good health requires replenishment and manipulation of internal chi flow; and a beneficent afterlife is enhanced when buried in conformity with chi directions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the proper manipulation of internal chi by acupuncture, tai-chi and qigong exercise, and herbal dietary supplements. Matthews has produced another tour de force that will repay close study by students, scientists, and all those concerned to understand science, culture, and the science/culture nexus. Harvey Siegel, Philosophy, University of Miami, USA With great erudition and even greater fluidity of style, Matthews introduces us to this now-world-wide belief system. Michael Ruse, Philosophy, Florida State University, USA The book is one of the best research works published on Feng Shui. Wang Youjun, Philosophy, Shanghai Normal University, China The history is fascinating. The analysis makes an important contribution to science literature. James Alcock, Psychology, York University, Canada This book provides an in-depth study of Feng Shui in different periods, considering its philosophical, historical and educational dimensions; especially from a perspective of the ‘demarcation problem’ between science and pseudoscience. Yao Dazhi, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Case studies, personal accounts, and analysis show how to recognize and combat pseudoscience in a post-truth world. In a post-truth, fake news world, we are particularly susceptible to the claims of pseudoscience. When emotions and opinions are more widely disseminated than scientific findings, and self-proclaimed experts get their expertise from Google, how can the average person distinguish real science from fake? This book examines pseudoscience from a variety of perspectives, through case studies, analysis, and personal accounts that show how to recognize pseudoscience, why it is so widely accepted, and how to advocate for real science. Contributors examine the basics of pseudoscience, including issues of cognitive bias; the costs of pseudoscience, with accounts of naturopathy and logical fallacies in the anti-vaccination movement; perceptions of scientific soundness; the mainstream presence of “integrative medicine,” hypnosis, and parapsychology; and the use of case studies and new media in science advocacy. Contributors David Ball, Paul Joseph Barnett, Jeffrey Beall, Mark Benisz, Fernando Blanco, Ron Dumont, Stacy Ellenberg, Kevin M. Folta, Christopher French, Ashwin Gautam, Dennis M. Gorman, David H. Gorski, David K. Hecht, Britt Marie Hermes, Clyde F. Herreid, Jonathan Howard, Seth C. Kalichman, Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair, Arnold Kozak, Scott O. Lilienfeld, Emilio Lobato, Steven Lynn, Adam Marcus, Helena Matute, Ivan Oransky, Chad Orzel, Dorit Reiss, Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter, Kavin Senapathy, Dean Keith Simonton, Indre Viskontas, John O. Willis, Corrine Zimmerman

Investigates questionable, ineffective, and harmful mental health treatments for children and adolescents.

While many psychosocial interventions used in social work practice have strong research evidence supporting their efficacy, a surprising number do not, potentially resulting in harmful outcomes. In this book, the authors cast a critical eye on the reality of commonly used scientific and pseudoscientific practices in social work today. Stressing the need for separating research-based practices from those not supported by adequate levels of evidence, they examine the scientific and pseudoscientific bases for popular social work interventions used in a variety of treatment settings. The text describes the history and characteristics of pseudoscience, along with the misuse of legitimate research. It examines pseudoscience practices in clinical assessment; working with children, adolescents, and adults; treating individuals with developmental difficulties; and how social work education training can and should discourage pseudoscience. The concluding chapter describes pathways through which social work practice can become more firmly grounded in contemporary scientific research. With the aim of promoting critical thinking among social work students and practitioners regarding the research behind popular interventions, this engaging book will be of value for courses in critical thinking and EBP and useful for all social work students and practitioners. Key Features: Promotes critical thinking regarding the evidence-based research-or lack thereof-behind a variety of social work interventions Written by renowned social work educators Addresses the history and characteristics of pseudoscience Examines pseudoscience practices in assessment and work with children, adolescents, adults, and individuals with developmental difficulties Presented in a clear and engaging style

“A remarkable contribution to one of the most vexing problems in science: the ‘demarcation’ problem, or how to distinguish science from nonscience.” —Francisco J. Ayala, author of Darwin’s Gift to Science and Religion What sets the practice of rigorously tested, sound science apart from pseudoscience? In this volume, the contributors seek to answer this question, known to philosophers of science as “the demarcation problem.” This issue has a long history in philosophy, stretching as far back as the early twentieth century and the work of Karl Popper. But by the late 1980s, scholars in the field began to treat the demarcation problem as impossible to solve and futile to ponder. However, the essays that Massimo Pigliucci and Maarten Boudry have assembled in this volume make a rousing case for the unequivocal importance of reflecting on the separation between pseudoscience and sound science. Moreover, the demarcation problem is not a purely theoretical dilemma of mere academic interest: it affects parents’ decisions to vaccinate children and governments’ willingness to adopt policies that prevent climate change. Pseudoscience often mimics science, using the superficial language and trappings of actual scientific research to seem more respectable. Even a well-informed public can be taken in by such questionable theories dressed up as science. Pseudoscientific beliefs compete with sound science on the health pages of newspapers for media coverage and in laboratories for research funding. Now more than ever the ability to separate genuine scientific findings from spurious ones is vital, and The Philosophy of Pseudoscience provides ground for philosophers, sociologists, historians, and laypeople to make decisions about what science is or isn’t. “A manual to overcome our natural cognitive biases.” —Corriere della Sera (Italy)