Which criterion best distinguishes science from pseudoscience?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When distinguishing science from pseudoscience, several criteria are often discussed in philosophy of science. 
Option a: Must be widely accepted by the public. In reality, scientific status does not depend on public popularity or consensus; many well-supported theories were not initially widely accepted, and pseudoscientific ideas can gain public traction without being scientifically valid.
Option b: Must be falsifiable or make testable predictions. This aligns with the principle of falsifiability popularized by Karl Popper, which states that for a claim to be scientific, it must be testable in a way that could, in principle, show it false; thus it makes predictions that can be empirically tested. This criterion helps separate testable, refutable claims from untestable assertions typical of pseudoscience.
Option c: Must have historical roots. Historical origin does not determine science; some modern scientific ideas emerged recently, while some pseudoscientific claims may invoke ancient roots; historical lineage is not a reliable discriminator.
Option d: Must align with cultural beliefs. Alignment with culture is not a hallmark of science; science seeks evidence-based explanations that may contradict cultural beliefs, and many scientifically robust theories have challenged cultural norms, showing that cultural alignment is not a defining feature.
Option e: Must use complex terminology. The use of jargon or complexity is not a criterion of science; simple, testable ideas can be scientific, whereas some pseudosciences disguise unfalsifiable claims with technical language. The essential factor is testability and falsifiability, not terminology complexity.

Which criterion best distinguishes science from pseudoscience?单项选择题

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