Science and Pseudo-Science

When:
November 30, 2013 @ 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
2013-11-30T10:30:00+00:00
2013-11-30T15:30:00+00:00
Where:
Conway Hall
25 Red Lion Square
London Borough of Camden, London WC1R 4RL
UK
Cost:
£10/£5

Chris French, Andy Lewis (Quackometer), James Ladyman and Stephen Law

What distinguishes real science from pseudo-science, flim-flam and bullshit? Is parapsychology a science? Is Young Earth Creationism science? Is pseudo-science on the rise in British schools?

11am “Parapsychology and Science”

Prof. Chris French (Goldsmiths Dept. of Anomolistic Psychology).

12.00 “Pseudo-science and Bullshit”

Prof. James Ladyman. Former editor of the British Journal for the Philosophy of Science and author of Understanding Philosophy of Science (Routledge 2002) and (with Don Ross) Every Thing Must Go (Oxford University Press 2007).

1.30pm “But it Fits!” (looking at Young Earth Creationism)

Dr. Stephen Law (Heythrop College University of London)

2.30pm “Educational Imposters: The Rise of Pseudoscience in UK Free Schools”

Andy Lewis (Quackometer). Michael Gove has stated that Free Schools will not be allowed to teach pseudoscience. But can we trust some of the cult-like organisations running these schools to teach good science is and to refrain from letting their own alternative reality influence classrooms? Maharishi and Steiner schools both have occult and pseudoscientific beliefs at their core and so we should ask “What are they teaching children?

3.30 END

£10 (£5 students) Free to friends of CFI UK and Conway Hall Ethical Society Members.

10.30am registration. 11am-3.30pm