It is argued that the first UFO sightings can be traced back to 593 BC, in the Book of Ezekiel. In one of the passages, Ezekiel describes what many believe was a UFO sighting: “This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like chrysolite, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel.” (Ezekiel 1:16) And the most recent possible sighting happened just days ago in Florence, Kentucky. However, is there any hard scientific evidence to prove these are alien spaceships, or is this just another example of pseudoscience? There are people in the world today who have chosen to dedicate their lives to the study and discovery of UFOs and extraterrestrial life. Unfortunately for them, there are many skeptics who say that this entire field of study is baloney. Technically speaking, there has never been a case in which someone has successfully proved a UFO to be an alien spaceship, or a case in which aliens were discovered, at least that we know of. These researchers, also called UFOlogists, have no real scientific evidence to study besides examining pictures, videos, and sending signals into space trying to contact someone or something. In a time where everyone has access to a computer with video editing software it’s hard to call any picture or video credible. I came across some “evidence” that was flat out ridiculous, while some pictures and videos were somewhat believable.
Despite all of the critics, can this actually be considered an area of real science? If you take into consideration the size of the universe and number of stars, it’s hard to believe there isn’t any form of intelligent life somewhere else. Most scientists estimate there are over 100 billion stars in our universe, but are unsure of how many planets revolve around each. With those kinds of numbers, odds are there has got to be another planet out there with some form of intelligent life. But what are the odds they are as intelligent, or even more intelligent than we are?
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I am very interested in aliens and alleged UFO abductions however I do believe they are fake and just apart of a persons imagination. One may be naive to think humans are the only form of life on earth but each other is all we know. It's very interesting a previously stated but I dont believe too much of it. great post though!!!
ReplyDeleteThere's a very good discussion of this very topic on the JREF forums. In the thread "Is Ufology Pseudoscience?" (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=122440) some self-identified ufologists argue in defense of their work, against a number of scientific skeptics.
ReplyDeleteThe ensuing debate provides an excellent example of the pratfalls of pseudoscience, and reveals many of its standard tactics when confronted with the methodology of actual science.
Foremost in the discussion is the notion that one can discard all basic standards of evidence and still lay claim to the practice of critical thinking. Other major issues are the dishonest manipulation of language, reliance on confirmation bias and arguments from ignorance, and allegations of unfair persecution when one's claims are opposed and put to the test.
There's a very good discussion of this very topic on the JREF forums. In the thread "Is Ufology Pseudoscience?" (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=122440) some self-identified ufologists argue in defense of their work, against a number of scientific skeptics.
ReplyDeleteThe ensuing debate provides an excellent example of the pratfalls of pseudoscience, and reveals many of its standard tactics when confronted with the methodology of actual science.
Foremost in the discussion is the notion that one can discard all basic standards of evidence and still lay claim to the practice of critical thinking. Other major issues are the dishonest manipulation of language, reliance on confirmation bias and arguments from ignorance, and allegations of unfair persecution when one's claims are opposed and put to the test.