Pathological science

Pathological science is a term created by the Nobel Prize-winning chemist Irving Langmuir; this term designates a psychological process in which a scientist, orignally conforming to scientific method, unconsciously veers from that method, and begins a pathological process of wishful data interpretation. Criteria for pathological science are:

• The maximum effect that is observed is produced by a causative agent of barely detectable intensity, and the magnitude of the effect is substantially independent of the intensity of the cause.
• The effect is of a magnitude that remains close to the limit of detectability, or many measurements are necessary because of the very low statistical significance of the results.
• There are claims of great accuracy.
• Fantastic theories contrary to experience are suggested.
• Criticisms are met by ad hoc excuses thought up on the spur of the moment.
• The ratio of supporters to critics rises and then falls gradually to oblivion.

Examples include N rays, polywater theory, Homeopathy

See also: Pseudoscience, Protoscience

External links and references

• http://www.ie.ncsu.edu/jwilson/colloq
• http://www.columbia.edu/cu/21stC/issue-3.4/turro
• Langmuir, Irving, and Robert N. Hall. 1989. Pathological science. Physics Today 42 (10): 36-48