This is an essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
This page in a nutshell: We are here to build an encyclopedia, not refute pseudoscience. |
Wikipedia is not RationalWiki.[1] RationalWiki differs in several ways from the philosophy of Wikipedia and some other informational wikis. It is written from a self-described "snarky point of view" and "scientific point of view" (both abbreviated as SPOV) rather than a "neutral point of view" (NPOV), and publishes opinion, speculation, and original research.
[2] We, on the other hand, are primarily concerned with building an encyclopedia and not with disproving pseudoscience, the paranormal, alternative medicine, urban legends, religion, or anything else for that matter. Even with good intentions, the latter can sometimes run contrary to the former.
analyze and refute pseudoscience and the anti-science movement, document 'crank' ideas, explore conspiracy theories, authoritarianism, and fundamentalism, and analyze how these subjects are handled in the media.