73 - Craig Callender: Pseudoscience, Conspiracy Theories, and Philosophy

Craig Callender is Professor of Philosophy and Co-Director of the Institute for Practical Ethics at UC San Diego. Craig works across the philosophy of science, and has published research on the philosophy of physics, applied ethics, the metaphysics of time, and other related areas. In this episode, Craig and Robinson discuss the content of a course he’s been teaching called Science vs Pseudoscience. More particularly, they talk about the boundary between science and pseudoscience, as well as case studies of science, pseudoscience, and conspiracy theories, including super-string theory, psychoanalysis, astrology, and more. Craig’s most recent book, What Makes Time Special? (Oxford University Press, 2017), won the prestigious Lakatos Award in 2018.  Craig’s Website: https://www.craigcallender.com  OUTLINE: 00:00 In This Episode… 00:26 Introduction 7:15 A Course on Science and Pseudoscience 14:43 Karl Popper’s Demarcation Problem 22:56 Superstring Theory 29:26 Psychoanalysis 32:29 Astrology 36:04 Pseudohistory and Expert Selection 47:02 Flat Earth Theory 51:28 Why Clever People Believe Silly Things  1:01:25 Personality Tests 1:14:12 Quantum Mumbo Jumbo 1:25:59 Replicability 1:29:15 Nutritionism 1:35:11 A Perpetual Motion Machine Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, weightlifters, artists, and everyone in-between.