Calling Science Pseudoscience: Fleck's Archaeologies of Fact and Latour's ‘Biography of an Investigation’ in AIDS Denialism and Homeopathy

Abstract

Fleck's Genesis and Development of a Scientific Fact foregrounds claims traditionally excluded from reception, often regarded as opposed to fact, scientific claims that are increasingly seldom discussed in connection with philosophy of science save as examples of pseudo-science. I am especially concerned with scientists who question the epidemiological link between HIV and AIDS and who are thereby discounted-no matter their credentials, no matter the cogency of their arguments, no matter the sobriety of their statistics-but also with other classic examples of so-called pseudo-science including homeopathy and other sciences, such as cold fusion. The pseudo-science version of the demarcation problem turns out to include some of the details that Latour articulates multifariously under a variety of species or kinds in his essay/interactive research project/monograph, 'Biography of an Investigation'. Given the economic constraints of the current day, especially in the academy, the growing trend in almost all disciplines is that of suppression by threat: say what everyone else says or you won't be hired (tenured/published/cited). In this way, non-citation of outlier views generates what Kuhn called normal science. Finally, a review of Lewontin's discussion of biology shows the continuing role of ideology by bringing in some of the complex issues associated with the resistant bacteria (tuberculosis, Lyme disease, syphilis) and AIDS.

William James and the Sustainable Transformation of Values, with a Case Study for Rethinking the American Dream

“…Babette critiqued media assumptions “that the disease is caused by one thing, and a magic bullet will attack and solve it.” This “media epidemic” paralleling the health crisis keeps the world … focused” on the authority of experts even though this novel virus leaves “medical scientists … confused.” Despite this, alternative ways of understanding the virus, including inquiry into its complex ranges of factors, are “systematically bad mouthed” and “will not even be researched because … not profitable.” Maintaining support for the many benefits of scientific medicine, she points to the economic incentives that have “encouraged prescriptions” even when not needed, degrading the field over the last century. While this “dedication to domination [rather] than to health” has so often induced public compliance, she continues to hope that the sheer elusiveness and complexity of COVID-19 could lead to a humbler and healthier view of health experts (Babich, 2015 and 2020 ; also see Tomes, 2016 ).…”

“…For example, individually, average consumers can try to live within their means buying the durable rather than the disposable; business owners can strive to maintain healthy returns without adding overly risky ventures; homeowners can buy houses with ample space rather than with areas mostly unused (and hard to maintain); presents can be for experiences rather than for things; healthy people can engage in preventive care, and when getting sick, they can try the least-invasive treatments first, holding off on major medical interventions, in the spirit of Babich, until needed (Babich, 2015 and 2020 ). Structurally, manufacturers can design products with reused materials or at least with materials that can actually be recycled or reused; incentives can encourage advertisements for healthy cultural attitudes just as we currently have so many ads with attitude about otherwise mundane products; institutions can reduce use of fertilizers, insecticides, and leaf-blowers on their lawns, while mowing less, with some increased tolerance for the aesthetics of the wild.…”

Hermeneutic Philosophies of Social Science: Introduction

“… See, for example, Schmaus 1994, more generally, again, Ferguson 2006.  See Babich 2010, 2012, and 2015a of the social sciences exist, ¹⁹ the authors, even when they are continental themselves, can be inclined to downplay the specific role of hermeneutics in the approaches they argue.…”