Pseudoscience: A Very Short Introduction

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By Michael D. Gordin, professor of history

Published May 17, 2023

In his new book, Gordin explores the complex issue of defining what makes a topic fall under the umbrella of pseudoscience. His goal is to arrive at a simple definition that clearly differentiates pseudoscience from genuine science. Pseudoscience (Oxford University Press) looks at a number of controversial fields including scientific racism and alchemy to understand a series of questions including why these ideas have been classified as pseudoscience and who has the authority to do so. Gordin answers these questions and offers a historical view of the struggle to identify fringe scientific views. 

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The cover of PAW’s December, 2024, issue, featuring a photo of Albert Einstein in a book-filled office with his secretary, Helen Dukas.
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