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.