June 6: Pseudoscience

SETI Research- Science or Pseudoscience?

Group Members: Isha, Annelyn, Haile, Devyanshi, Elena.

SETI:

SETI stands for "Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence". It is research done to detect evidence of technological civilizations/life that may exist somewhere else in the universe, specifically in our Galaxy. There are billions of locations outside our Solar System that could host life.

Science or Pseudoscience?

There has been debate going around if SETI research is real science or pseudoscience- anything that pretends to be science but is not and fails one or more parts of being scientific. After reading several articles and having a thorough discussion within group members, we reached a conclusion.

We classified SETI as science. Heres why:

Is in-principle testable
Machine-learning algorithms analyze the data (real tools and research done)
SETI has a systematic system for research
There are statistical techniques used when collecting data
Scientific based technology, such as cosmic radio, are used during research
Speculation is a part of science
Have a lot of research done and research is evidence based

In addition, the hypotheses within SETI are falsifiable. If no signals are detected despite searches, it challenges the assumption that life in the universe are communicating by detectable signals, prompting the methods or assumptions.

Improvements:

The one thing that could improve the scientific standing of SETI was if real evidence of life outside our planet was discovered. This could prove to people that all the research done was science based as it produced a real life result that can be studied and analyzed.

Counterargument:

Some may argue that SETI should be considered pseudoscience because the theories surrounding the research are not science based or they just haven't found any real evidence to back up all the research they have done. Even though this is a valid thought, it is incorrect. For instance, the current technology we have is limited but maybe in the future, with more advanced technology, we could be able to find real, solid evidence. Just cause we can't see anything now does not mean its fake or doesn't follow the fundamental ideas of science.

Reflection:

Overall, the universe is huge and there is so much we have not explored so stating that the claim that life exists outside is completely false and can't be considered science is a wrong take on the topic. In addition, even if we don't find other life through the research being done, it could still lead us to other discoveries about the universe or just help us learn more in general about what is outside our planet. To say that the research being done that helps us learn more about space is not science-based just doesn't make much sense.