Final answer:
Science refers to a systematic methodology based on evidence that produces testable explanations and predictions about the universe. Pseudoscience, in contrast, is characterized by claims that appear scientific but lack empirical evidence and adherence to scientific principles. Myths are traditional stories that typically involve supernatural elements and are not based on scientific methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Science, Pseudoscience, and Myths
Understanding the difference between science, pseudoscience, and myths is fundamental in distinguishing what constitutes reliable knowledge. Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. When scientific ideas do not match the natural world, they are often rejected or revised based on new evidence, following what is known as the scientific method. This method involves the identification of a hypothesis (a testable prediction), which through rigorous experimentation can be developed into a theory (a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world) or even a law (a statement based on repeated experimental observations that describes some aspect of the universe).
In contrast, pseudoscience consists of claims, beliefs, or practices that are claimed to be scientific and factual but are incompatible with the scientific method. Pseudoscience lacks the empirical evidence and rigor that true science demands. It does not adhere to the standards and fails to provide plausible mechanisms that can be tested by repeatable experiments.
Lastly, myths are traditional stories, often concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events. Myths are not an attempt to explain reality through systematic investigation or observation like science, but rather they cover cultural and religious stories that give meaning and context to human existence. While myths hold cultural significance, they are not based on empirical evidence or scientific methods.
Scientists' views of theories often differ from everyday use, considering them as robust and comprehensive explanations of phenomena, whereas in everyday language, a theory might be seen as mere speculation or an unproven idea.