Issue41【CRUCADE小组】第四次作业 by dreamcasaer

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OUTLINE
人们需要非主流研究，因为可以解决非主流科学不能解决的自然现象
人们需要非主流研究，因为可以给人以心里安慰。
不能被当今科学所支持的学科，不一定就是没有其道理的。
但很多非主流学说毫无根据，不可接受
结论：人们要有选择的接受非主流研究，那些毫无根据的研究会带来不爽的影响

       I disagree with the speaker’s assertion that non-mainstream inquiries such as astrology, fortune-telling and paranormal pursuits play a vital role in society for they can satisfy human needs which cannot be addressed by mainstream science. I concede that non-mainstream studies have their merits and people need them for certain reasons, but in most cases, their bad influences far outweigh their merits.

       First, certain non-mainstream areas of inquiry could address some natural phenomena which could not be interpreted by mainstream science. In deed, restricted by the limited knowledge and science development, people cannot thoroughly interpret some natural event, and thus they expect that the non-mainstream research could answer the questions. Especially in ancient times or some backward regions, this reliance of non-mainstream studies is relatively obvious. For example, in ancient china, without known how rain is formed, people believe that it is god who in charge with rain, which are forced them to pray for rain. Although with the progress of science, such reliance on non-mainstream inquires like praying for rain has become fewer, still people have lots of unknown natural phenomena which give a place for non-mainstream researches.

       In second place, some non-mainstream research would satisfy the people’s anxious propensity to know the future and fate of themselves. Because people feel so insecurity, and confusion when facing unknown future and uncertain choice, so that one may needs psychic comfort, like fortune-telling and astrology. Under this circumstance, certain non-mainstream subjects have psychological advantages which make people feel better.

       Thirdly, we should not completely negate some non-mainstream inquiries which explore unknown regions and cannot be supported by mainstream science. This may only means that the nowadays science development is not enough for interpreting it, for the reason that in the past some inquires were so-called non-mainstream, but now they have become the mainstream studies. For example, Bruno, Galileo, Copernicus, their study about astronomy was considered non-mainstream subjects, and even the heretical doctrines. However, these researches are valuable and the astronomy has become mainstream study. Thus, we could deduce that some non-mainstream pursuits today may become mainstream inquiry tomorrow.

       Nonetheless, many non-mainstream studies are without any reason. As far as I know, some non-mainstream inquires are based on subjective conjecture and lack of sufficient evidence to support it. For example, phrenology, a theory claims that a person’s character and intelligence can be measured by feeling the bumps and depressions on the skull which has no scientific basis, and today it is considered a pseudoscience. Such pursuits make people rely on it completely and attribute their failure to bad destiny, rather than their laziness or capacity. The disadvantages of such kinds of non-mainstream inquires far outweigh the psychological advantages they have. It is said that some people suffering from a curable disease does not resort to medical treatment, but ask the divination and paranormal force for help, and eventually died.

       In sum, though some non-mainstream inquiries might help some people feel better and satisfy their curiousness, some of them are based on subjective assumption, which may prevent people from pondering problems properly. Thus, people should accept the non-mainstream inquires which are based on objective evidence, and otherwise they would bring more disadvantages than the advantages.