Ninja Rants and Raves

I recently received some comments from a reader regarding my articles on homeopathy and my criticism of this pseudoscience. The reader asked if I had ever met anyone who had been treated using homeopathy and that I also should temper my vehemence; the implication being that homeopathy provided a valuable service which delivered positive results and comforted patients. My immediate reaction was that any perceived vehemence was misplaced especially in comparison to someone like PZ Myers! But the questions being raised on the value of homeopathy deserved debate.

After much consideration, I can only reinforce my opposition to the pseudoscience that is homeopathy and my exasperation at the idiocy of homeopathy’s support. Despite the claims made by the practitioners of homeopathy, there is no evidence that there is anything but a placebo at work. As a placebo, homeopathy will provide improvements for some patients within a very narrow band of illnesses. Simplistically, the benefits of positive thought. It certainly wouldn’t be able to successfully treat illnesses such as malaria for example.

The statements made by homeopaths explaining the mechanisms of how homeopathy is allegedly claimed to work have been shown to be incorrect. Yet homeopaths are unable to accept this. They have abandoned critical thinking and have deluded themselves into accepting the extraordinary when all credible evidence shows that their claims are without foundation.

So why should I care? Why should we all care? After all, the placebo effect certainly provides some benefits to some people. I’ll tell you why.

By accepting homeopathy we make it difficult to demonstrate to society the benefits of critical thinking. Without critical thinking we are saying that it’s OK to accept extraordinary claims without evidence; that it’s OK to accept pseudoscience, to accept astrology, to accept perpetual-motion machines. In short, that it’s OK to be bamboozled.

Our enlightenment, our knowledge, striving to seek the truth; this is what advances us. And critical thinking is the most powerful tool to achieve that. Without it we will be burdened by superstition and witch doctors.

Copyright © 2008 Kulvinder Singh Matharu - All Rights Reserved

This was recommended at the Bad Astronomy blog last week but I’ve only just around to putting this here on my blog. Not terra incognita but “Here Be Dragons”…an introduction to critical thinking. The video at that website provides the basic tools to allow a critical mindset to develop…a useful weapon to get past all the chaff that this world throws at us.

The other things I liked in the video were the recommendations on reading material; it mentioned one of my favourite books…“The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark” by Carl Sagan.

Get the video, get the book. Highly Recommended!

Copyright © 2008 Kulvinder Singh Matharu - All Rights Reserved

Skeptico has a great article on something that I’ve felt strongly about for some time. I’ve tried to introduce critical thinking processes to some people and have tried using various arguments for showing the perilous foundations that homeopathy, astrology, chiropractice, etc are built on. But most people are set in their ways and although I will continue to be quite vocal in my arguments I no longer expect people to change their minds. It’s hard for people to admit that they’re wrong and to let go of ideas they’re fond of. Of course some people do see the light and start the processes of questioning, to use critical thinking. But such people are rare. I haven’t given up. Gentle persuasion is the way to go with most people, especially with friends. However, when it comes to organisations…well, they’re fair game. Give them all you’ve got! You be the judge of the situation and act accordingly.

Copyright © 2008 Kulvinder Singh Matharu - All Rights Reserved