Philosophy of Pseudoscience: Reconsidering the Demarcation Problem

This volume addresses the demarcation problem—how to distinguish science from pseudoscience—a central question in philosophy of science with roots in early twentieth-century work by Karl Popper. By the late 1980s, scholars had largely abandoned the problem as unsolvable, but the essays assembled here by Massimo Pigliucci and Maarten Boudry argue for its continued importance. The demarcation problem extends beyond academic theory. It has practical consequences for parental vaccination decisions and government climate change policies. Pseudoscience often adopts the language and appearance of legitimate scientific research to gain credibility, making it difficult for even informed audiences to distinguish from genuine findings. Pseudoscientific claims compete with sound science for media coverage and research funding. The collection brings together perspectives from philosophers, sociologists, historians, and general readers to examine what constitutes science and what does not. Understanding this distinction has become increasingly vital for evaluating competing claims in public discourse.