Reasons for the influence of pseudoscience
To draw a conclusion from the above, the definition of pseudoscience is the same, by whomever it is given. But the reasons for its appearance and growth are different.
There are several reasons for its appearance and growth, and to some extent they are specific for Russia.
"Information revolution"
At the turn of the 20th-21st centuries, significant changes took place in the socio-cultural life of the population, the so-called freedom of choice appeared, as a result of which a person found himself alone with a huge information field, saturated with contradictory opinions, various samples of morality and culture.
As if matter how absurd it may be, the darkness of fortune-tellers, miracle-wishers, fortune-tellers and healers flashing on TV screens has become an integral part of these "samples". They appear on the screen and disappear without a trace, giving way to new idols. Do you remember your husband and wife named Global? Where are they now? Who are they scolding? Just think how bravely they called themselves masters of the wonderful "science" of astrology, with what confidence they predicted to happen to us in four years, or explained in what district of Moscow more, and in what less favorable psychological and business atmosphere provide a combination of constellations.
Perestroika, which began the transition to a modern open information society, began with many hours of programs Chumak, Kashpirovsky, homegrown "physicists".
Historical factor.
When trying to transition from the past politicized science (as a system) to normal science, chaos is inevitable. Its positive component is reflected in the publications of works forgotten or destroyed decades ago. As a result of late publication, they inevitably become incomplete.
Among the resurrected works there are some that were and remain only mistakes. The collapse of the USSR and the economic crisis that followed it, which engulfed Russia and the former Soviet republics, led to a significant reduction in the funding of scientific research and a decrease in the circulation of scientific, educational and popular science publications.
Psychological factor.
The most complicated and significant causes of pseudoscience are related to the principle of the human brain. Expression of interest in the field of pseudoscience meets the known need of people to go beyond the ordinary. And to go into such areas, which are not explained by the current level of scientific knowledge.
The logic here is simple: since we were able to achieve amazing results in scientific and technological progress, why not take one more step and get to the supersurprising? There is a certain psychological predisposition, which as it were makes us believe in the miraculous, and sometimes contrary to reason, and sometimes in full accordance with it. This common pattern is a "psychological attitude".
To be continued in the next part https://zen.yandex.ru/media/id/5d9330af8600e100b06bbabe/pseudoscience-pros-and-cons-part-4-5d94f91e028d6800af3ab952