Teaching the History of Pseudoscience
Written by Brian Regal
Wednesday, 19 September 2012 09:00
The following is a contribution to the JREF’s ongoing blog series on skepticism and education. If you are an educator and would like to contribute to this series, please contact rjblaskiewicz@gmail.com
Having spent the previous three years at Kean University assembling a core curriculum in the history of science, technology, and medicine I thought a philosophy of science course would round out the program nicely. I did some assessment in the form of asking faculty, students, and colleagues from other institutions what they thought of this idea. The response was a collective pointing of fingers into mouths with the accompanying “aaahhkkk” of distaste and boredom. Rethinking my position, I proposed a course on the history of pseudoscience instead. The gagging stopped, replaced by smiles and nods of affirmation and many suggestions on case studies, text books and papers to read. I went right to work.
A course on the history of pseudoscience solves several pedagogical problems. A course involving ghosts, UFOs, spirit mediums, and monster hunters draws in students who otherwise would never go anywhere near a philosophy of science class. It teaches them how to tell the difference between what science is and what it is not, it teaches them to think skeptically and critically, and it does this within an historical context. It also allows me to spend time in the classroom on my specific research. I work on the fringe aspects of scientific thought focusing on the relationship between amateur practitioners and professional scientists, particularly surrounding questions of biological evolution and its impact upon culture, religion and politics. Drawn in by ghosts and monsters, students learn the tenants of the philosophy of science almost without realizing it. They learn how fascinating and useful philosophical, skeptical, and critical thought can be to the everyday experience.
My course proposal was sent to the university curriculum committee and once accepted and
http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/1843-teaching-the-history-of-pseudoscience.html
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Zak Bagans and a human skull in the house
‘Ghost Adventures’ Star Violent Human-Skull Ghost Is Haunting My House
Never bring your work home with you — especially if your job involves ghost-hunting and human skulls — because you could end up with one BAD_WORD-off spirit haunting your house … and pushing your friends down stairs.
“Ghost Adventures” star Zak Bagans tells TMZ, the supernatural encounters began after he found a human skull during an investigation last month at an old mining town hotel — and genius actually decided to bring the remains home with him.
Zak — who built a display for the skull in the basement of his Las Vegas home — tells us, he noticed a huge surge in paranormal activity almost instantly … an angry, demonic-type presence that had never been in his house before.
On one night, Zak tells us, he was woken up by a slight pressure on his ankles — what felt like hands grabbing him — and all of a sudden, the force yanked him several inches down in his bed.
Days later, Zak says he had a girl over at his house — and out of nowhere, she spilled head over heels down his stairs … insisting someone … or something … had pushed her.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg — and Zak tells us, he’s so terrified … he hired a local bishop to perform an exorcism at his house in the next two weeks
Zak adds, “I love my job, but i want to feel safe in my house. I don’t feel safe.” Word to the wise — don’t jack human skulls and bring them into your house.
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