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Pseudoscience is a claim, belief or practice presented as scientific, but which does not adhere to the scientific method.〔 A field, practice, or body of knowledge can reasonably be called pseudoscientific when it is presented as consistent with the norms of scientific research, but it demonstrably fails to meet these norms.〔 Pseudoscience is often characterized by the following: a use of vague, contradictory, exaggerated or unprovable claims; an over-reliance on confirmation rather than rigorous attempts at refutation; a lack of openness to evaluation by other experts in the field; and a general absence of systematic practices when rationally developing theories. The term ''pseudoscience'' is often considered inherently pejorative, because it suggests something is being inaccurately or even deceptively portrayed as science. Accordingly, those labeled as practicing or advocating pseudoscience usually dispute the characterization. Science is distinguishable from revelation, theology, or spirituality in that it offers insight into the physical world obtained by empirical research and testing.〔 Commonly held beliefs in popular science may not meet the criteria of science.〔 "Pop science" may blur the divide between science and pseudoscience among the general public, and may also involve science fiction.〔 Pseudoscientific beliefs are widespread, even among state school science teachers and newspaper reporters.〔 The demarcation problem between science and pseudoscience has ethical political implications, as well as philosophical and scientific issues.〔 Differentiating science from pseudoscience has practical implications in the case of health care, expert testimony, environmental policies, and science education.〔 Distinguishing scientific facts and theories from pseudoscientific beliefs such as those found in astrology, alchemy, medical quackery, and occult beliefs combined with scientific concepts, is part of science education and scientific literacy.〔 ==Etymology== The word "pseudoscience" is derived from the Greek root ''pseudo'' meaning false〔(【引用サイトリンク】publisher=Farlex, Inc. )〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=pseudo&searchmode=none )〕 and the English word ''science''. Although the term has been in use since at least the late 18th century (e.g. used in 1796 in reference to alchemy) the concept of pseudoscience as distinct from real or proper science appears to have emerged in the mid-19th century. Among the first recorded uses of the word "pseudo-science" was in 1844 in the ''Northern Journal of Medicine'', I 387: "That opposite kind of innovation which pronounces what has been recognized as a branch of science, to have been a pseudo-science, composed merely of so-called facts, connected together by misapprehensions under the disguise of principles". An earlier recorded use of the term was in 1843 by the French physiologist François Magendie.〔 Magendie refers to phrenology as "''a pseudo-science of the present day''" (note the hyphen).〕 During the 20th century, the word was used as a pejorative to describe explanations of phenomena which were claimed to be scientific, but which were not in fact supported by reliable experimental evidence. From time to time, though, the usage of the word occurred in a more formal, technical manner around a perceived threat to individual and institutional security in a social and cultural setting. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Pseudoscience」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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