Nonscientific

Nonscientific is an adjective used to describe ideas, methods, or practices that are not based on or evaluated by the scientific method. In straightforward terms, nonscientific explanations rely less on empirical observation, testable hypotheses, repeatable experimentation, and peer-reviewed evidence than on other sources such as tradition, authority, anecdote, or belief systems.

The term is often used descriptively to label claims that do not meet the standards of scientific inquiry. It can also carry evaluative implications, suggesting a lack of rigor or evidentiess. It is important to note that calling something nonscientific does not automatically judge its truth or usefulness; many human activities—such as history, philosophy, ethics, and arts—operate outside strict scientific methods yet provide meaning, understanding, or value within their own frameworks.

Boundary issues accompany the term. Science is a broad and evolving enterprise, and some domains blend methods or employ scientific tools alongside non-scientific approaches. Conversely, some nonscientific beliefs may coexist with rigorous scientific research in related areas. The distinction between nonscientific and unscientific is subtle: unscientific often implies a failure to meet scientific standards, whereas nonscientific simply indicates a lack of science as the governing framework.

Typical examples of nonscientific domains include astrology, alchemy, certain religious or mystical beliefs, and some folkloric or traditional knowledge systems. The term’s usefulness lies in signaling the absence of scientific methods rather than in endorsing any particular truth claim.