Pseudoscience is someone everyone should keep out from. At best, it's just about people trying to have a laugh, for example, reading their horoscope (this is not bad at all); at worst it's about people trying to scam you, for example,charging you for fortune telling or magical potions or whatever.
Let's define pseudoscience. It's some kind of practice or belief that is presented to you as scientific (as truthful, proven and real), but lacks the proper requirements such as using the scientific method and being backed up by real evidence, among others.
So how do you spot these "half-sciences"? Imagine you have one of any pseudoscience follower in front of you, and he is open for questions. Or hey, you totally could be one of those people reading this. Then ask him or yourself stuff like:
What's your methodology? -It should fit the scientific one
Do you have any real supporting evidence or if you do, do you constantly look for additional evidence? -Sciences does
How are you sure of the effectiveness of your activity? -It should be based on both confirmation of the results AND attempts of refutation of the premises. This is important because the Science we know today can be proven false anytime (pseudosciences can't), this has always happened historically and that's why you can't expect pseudoscience to be true after centuries remaining unmodified, maybe confirmed but never refutated.
Where and how do you learn it? -Books? Schools? Universities? Maybe you want to keep your "knowledge" unknown so the business keeps running?
Can anybody do what you do? If not, why not? -Anybody can learn Science if they want. No open minds, inner eyes, powerful spirits or being part of a group are needed.
Do you let independent specialists or members of the scientific community evaluate your work? We can guess why you don't.
Do you have any independent critical discipline such as Science has? (It's Philosophy) -If not, then who is controlling you and confirming your premises?
Why is your belief different around the world? -For example, there's chinese and western and mayan astrology, but astronomy (Science) is the same for the whole world.
There are more possible questions but those should do it.
Next time you hear about any possible pseudoscience or meet any of their adepts...you know what to do!
