Fringe science
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fringe science is a phrase used to describe scientific inquiry in an established field that departs significantly from mainstream or orthodox theories.
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[edit] Definition
Fringe science is, by definition, at the fringes of a mainstream academic discipline. Fringe science is seen by most scientists as unlikely (given current knowledge and scientific consensus), but not irrational. Some of today's widely-held theories (such as plate tectonics) had their origins as fringe science. As with all categories, disagreement is widespread regarding what ideas are legitimate fringe science, and what ideas might be more accurately described as pseudoscience. Traditionally, the term "fringe science" is used to describe unusual theories that have their basis in established scientific principle, and which are advocated by a scientist who is recognized by the larger scientific community (typically due to publication of peer reviewed studies by the scientist).
Fringe science can be a field of inquiry which is not yet considered a "real" science (see protoscience) by the vast majority of scientists, but which nevertheless bears some resemblance to the norms of the scientific method. Based upon the merits of a specific hypothesis and methods of the inquiry, specific instances of fringe science may or may not come to be included in the canon of actual science. The phrase "fringe science" is sometimes considered pejorative. For example, writing in the Journal of American Culture, Lyell D. Henry, Jr. commented that "'fringe science' [is] a term also suggesting kookiness."[1]
[edit] Contemporary Examples
Aubrey de Grey, featured in a 2006 60 Minutes special report, is working on advanced studies in human longevity.[1] Many mainstream scientists believe his research constitutes "fringe science."[2]
A nuclear fusion reaction called cold fusion occurring near room temperature and pressure was reported by Fleischmann and Pons in March 1989. Numerous research efforts at the time attempted and were unable to replicate these results.[2] Since then, many scientists with a variety of credentials have contributed to the field or participated in the international conferences on cold fusion. In 2004, the United States Department of Energy (USDOE) decided to take another look at cold fusion to determine if their policies towards cold fusion should be altered due to new experimental evidence and so set up a panel on cold fusion.
[edit] Compared to Pseudoscience and Junk Science
Fringe science can be distinguished from some similar-sounding, but pejorative in nature, categories as follows:
- Pseudoscience - Pseudoscience is notoriously lax in rigorous application of the scientific method. Reproducibility is typically a problem. This is not so in fringe science.
- Junk science - Junk science is used to describe agenda-driven research that ignores certain standard methodologies and practices in an attempt to secure a given result from an experiment. Fringe science, as in standard methodology, proceeds from theory to conclusion with no attempt to direct or coax the result.
[edit] References
- Frazier K (1981). Paranormal Borderlands of Science Prometheus Books ISBN 0-87975-148-7
- CSICOP On-line: Scientifically Investigating Paranormal and Fringe Science Claims
- Dutch SI (1982). Notes on the Nature of Fringe Science. Journal of Geological Education
- Brown GE (1996). Environmental Science under Siege: Fringe Science and the 104th Congress.
