04/18/23 1

Science, Pseudoscience Science, Pseudoscience and Protoscienceand Protoscience

Brain and Consciousness

Sun Monday Tuesday Wed Thursday Friday Sat

Sept 11: Paradigms 13: Brain Develop-ment

Sept Mongolia Conference

Sept Yom Kippur 27: Sleeping

28: TM and TC

Oct 2: Science and Pseudoscience

4: Other Meditations

Oct 9: Cosmic Consciousness

Timeline: 7:45 – 9:00

Drfredtravis.com-> Presentations and Videos-> Power Points->Brain and Consciousness for lecture power points

WholenessWholenessPseudoscience poses as science, but Pseudoscience poses as science, but

does not follow the steps of does not follow the steps of conducting science—evidenced-based conducting science—evidenced-based testing of model-derived research testing of model-derived research hypotheses. Protoscience follows the hypotheses. Protoscience follows the steps of science to investigate new steps of science to investigate new models. These distinctions can be models. These distinctions can be used to appreciate the nature of used to appreciate the nature of Maharishi Vedic Science. Maharishi Vedic Science.

Definitions of ScienceDefinitions of Science

““Science does not purvey absolute truth, Science does not purvey absolute truth, science is a mechanism. It’s a way of trying science is a mechanism. It’s a way of trying to improve your knowledge of nature, it’s a to improve your knowledge of nature, it’s a system for testing your thoughts against the system for testing your thoughts against the universe and seeing whether they match.” universe and seeing whether they match.”

Isaac Asimov  Isaac Asimov  

““Science is a way of thinking much more than Science is a way of thinking much more than a body of knowledge.” a body of knowledge.”

Carl SaganCarl Sagan

GlobalModel

Design Study

Acquire and Analyze Data

Introduction

MethodSubjectsProcedureTest Instruments

Results

Discussion

Research Methods Circle 

Generate Hypothesis

Knower

Known Known

Knower

Signs of Science: Which Signs of Science: Which stand out for you?stand out for you?

1.1. Is logical, reasonableIs logical, reasonable

2.2. Makes evidence based claimsMakes evidence based claims

3.3. Is parsimoniousIs parsimonious

4.4. Hypotheses can be falsified in Hypotheses can be falsified in repeatable experiments.repeatable experiments.

5.5. Attempts to be objective, and Attempts to be objective, and honest use of scientific method and honest use of scientific method and truthful reportstruthful reports

Signs of Pseudoscience: Signs of Pseudoscience: Which stand out?Which stand out?

1.1. Evidence for a discovery is anecdotal. Evidence for a discovery is anecdotal.

2.2. The scientific effect involved is always at The scientific effect involved is always at the very limit of detection (is very small).the very limit of detection (is very small).

3.3. … … says that a powerful establishment is says that a powerful establishment is trying to suppress his or her work.trying to suppress his or her work.

4.4. … … must propose new laws of nature to must propose new laws of nature to explain an observation.explain an observation.

5.5. … … says a belief is credible because it has says a belief is credible because it has endured for centuries.endured for centuries.

6.6. The discoverer has worked in isolation.The discoverer has worked in isolation.

““You mentioned in your book how you would type You mentioned in your book how you would type out words on a piece of paper and paste these out words on a piece of paper and paste these

written words onto a bottle, and see how the water written words onto a bottle, and see how the water reacted to the words.”reacted to the words.”

I will kill you.I will kill you.

Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler

Mother Mother TheresaTheresa

HeavyHeavy MetalMetal

Love and Love and AppreciationAppreciation

Is this Pseudoscience?Is this Pseudoscience?

Dr. Emoto: http://www.life-enthusiast.com/twilight/research_emoto.htm

http://www.aulterra.com/

• The The NeutralizerNeutralizer: energetic information imprinted in : energetic information imprinted in Aulterra's homeopathic preparation.Aulterra's homeopathic preparation.

• Electromagnetic fields in their natural form are Electromagnetic fields in their natural form are harmless. When manmade they disrupt the energy harmless. When manmade they disrupt the energy patterns of the human body. The patterns of the human body. The NeutralizerNeutralizer contain a proprietary blend of natural materials contain a proprietary blend of natural materials (powdered rocks) which neutralize harmful (powdered rocks) which neutralize harmful emissions. The power of this material was first emissions. The power of this material was first discovered when it was used to neutralize and discovered when it was used to neutralize and remove lead and zinc from a landfill during an remove lead and zinc from a landfill during an environmental cleanup project.environmental cleanup project.

Do You Wear Glasses?

http://www.naturalperfectvision.com/

• Let’s look at TM.orgLet’s look at TM.org

http://www.tm.org/

Protoscience vs PseudoscienceProtoscience vs Pseudoscience

• ProtoscienceProtoscience• Statements that are outside of the current Statements that are outside of the current

paradigm but are:paradigm but are:• Generated by a self-consistent modelGenerated by a self-consistent model• Can be scientifically testedCan be scientifically tested• Are open to be scientifically tested.Are open to be scientifically tested.

• They are the driving force of shifts in They are the driving force of shifts in paradigmparadigm

Are these statements based in Are these statements based in Pseudoscience, Protoscience or Pseudoscience, Protoscience or

Science?Science?

1.1. TM practice can lower blood TM practice can lower blood pressure.pressure.

2.2. Group practice of the TM-Sidhi Group practice of the TM-Sidhi program leads to improvement in program leads to improvement in positive trends in society.positive trends in society.

3.3. If you have a house with a south If you have a house with a south entrance, your health and wealth will entrance, your health and wealth will be worse and your sleep will be less be worse and your sleep will be less restful. restful.

Main PointMain PointThe steps of science are rules to determine The steps of science are rules to determine

the validity of knowledge gained—be it the validity of knowledge gained—be it through subjective or objective means of through subjective or objective means of gaining knowledge. Pseudoscience gaining knowledge. Pseudoscience violates these rules. violates these rules. Some of the Some of the technologies of Maharishi Vedic Science technologies of Maharishi Vedic Science have been extensively tested by science; have been extensively tested by science; some are just beginning to be tested; and some are just beginning to be tested; and others have not yet been tested.others have not yet been tested.

Can Everything Be Tested By Science?