title: Scientism and Pseudoscience: A Philosophical Commentary.
abstract: The term "scientism" is used in a variety of ways with both negative and positive connotations. I suggest that some of these uses are inappropriate, as they aim simply at dismissing without argument an approach that a particular author does not like. However, there are legitimate negative uses of the term, which I explore by way of an analogy with the term "pseudoscience." I discuss these issues by way of a recent specific example provided by a controversy in the field of bioethics concerning the value, or lack thereof, of homeopathy. I then frame the debate about scientism within the broader context of C.P. Snow's famous essay on the "two cultures."
authors.affiliation: Department of Philosophy, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY, 10031, USA. massimo@platofootnote.org.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pigliucci
mesh_terms: D026688:Bioethical Issues; D001690:Biological Science Disciplines; D003210:Concept Formation; D028663:Ethical Theory; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006694:Holistic Health; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D008419:Materia Medica; D010684:Philosophy; D015990:Placebo Effect
chemical_list: D008419:Materia Medica
keywords: Homeopathy; Pseudoscience; Scientism; Two cultures