Why is the 'Alternative' section in science and maths when it is neither science or maths?

Question

It doesn't take a scientist to tell you that Parapsychology and Paranormal Phenomenon are not Science. They are pseudo Science!

Answer 1

Because there's no where else to put it and some loons think it is science.

Answer 2

Thumbs up on Little Grim's answer, gosh I like that guy.  He's just so reasonable.  While it is true that those you mention are not accepted sciences, you can argue about their merits scientifically.  The best questions in here are like that.  While most of the questions in here don't address the subject on a scientific basis, I find those that at least try interesting.

Answer 3

Boy, you put the anal in banal. Get a grip, get a life, get laid, but please get a sense of humour and tolerance. Parapsychology is studied in Psych depts at all the major Universities (albeit at a very small scale) or am I also being banal? No offence : )

Answer 4

Maybe they didn't want a section of pseudo Science or Pseudo relogion, so they lumped them together.

Just because something is not proven, does not mean it doesn't exist.

Religion has been happy to talk of God without proof. It hs not been conclusively proved right or wrong.

Answer 5

The study of the paranormal is indeed alternative science. That is why yahoo so wisely placed it in this section. So quit your whining and take it up with them if you have a problem with it! The study of anything, is in it's self, a form of science. duh!

Answer 6

The study of parapsychology and paranormal phenomenon is a science. However, everyone who is interested in it are NOT scientists. Running through cemeteries at night with EMF detectors makes a person a parapsychologist as much as digging in your back yard makes you an archaeologist. Shows like Ghost Hunters, Most Haunted, Psychic Kids, and Paranormal State do the research aspect of the paranormal no justice. It makes people forget about places like the Rhine Research Institute that studies psi effects in clinical experiments.

  As a chemist for 14 years and a Technical Director for 11 of those, I treat parapsychology very much like a scientist. I look at under the conditions of the scientific method. However, I believe YA mislabeled it. I would not have put it under Science and Math. It would better fit under Social Sciences, such as psychology, archeology, and anthropology. This because it is 1) exploratory in nature and 2) involves interactions with individuals living and dead.

  While paranormal means beyond scientific explanation, one must consider sciences such as microbiology and even chemistry were once considered paranormal because they could not be explained by the scientists at the time with the technology they had at hand. Science once stated that the earth was flat, the universe revolved around the earth, and all things were made of only four elements, earth, wind, water, and fire. We have come a long way and todays paranormal will be somedays ordinary science.

Answer 7

It gives the skeptics a reason to hammer the True Bleevers if they chance to venture out of their protected reservation grounds Horoscopes or Myth.

Science gives an all year hunting license in the paranormal section.

Answer 8

Because a lot of traditionally-accepted scientific instruments are used in parapsychology.

Answer 9

Idk, they really should just have an "alternative beliefs" section rather than alternative science because they really are still just pseudo-sciences.  

Answer 10

to some it is a science!

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Definition

science  (n)

1.The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena.

2.Such activities restricted to a class of natural phenomena.

3.Such activities applied to an object of inquiry or study.

Methodological activity, discipline, or study: I've got packing a suitcase down to a science.

4.An activity that appears to require study and method: the science of purchasing.

5.Knowledge, especially that gained through experience.

Answer 11

Perhaps it is an alternative (second choice?) instead of science and math.  

Answer 12

I agree with you completely. All of this c**p is indeed pseudo science and is also nonsense. I look in it to see what nonsense is offered to us today. The latest sensation is that a Bigfoot has been found, and FOX will have a show about it. That should go well with the one that said the 20 July 1969 Moon landing was faked. FOX=HOAX!!!!!