Issue41--Thrive小组第10次作业，很傻很幼稚，有拍必回

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TOPIC: ISSUE41 - "Such nonmainstream areas of inquiry as astrology, fortune-telling, and psychic and paranormal pursuits play a vital role in society by satisfying human needs that are not addressed by mainstream science."

Nonmainstream sciences are very common in our society, such as astrology, fortune-telling and so forth. Major people believe that these nonmainstream sciences are not useful, because they, at least basically, are contradictory with major science, such as astronomy and physics. The speaker however claims that these nonmainstream areas of inquiry are as important as mainstream society in our society. I agree with his statement.

The first thing that I want to point out is that while most people are more likely to define nonmainstream science as fallacy, I do not think so. Nonmainstream sciences, though do not compatible with the major science we admit, have its reason, and could become mainstream science. For example, centuries ago, the earth was considered as the center of the cosmos. This was known as a mainstream axiom and had account for the major science in the past; Nicolaus Copernicus' theory, that the earth is not the center, was considered nonmainstream (They call it heterodoxy, their attitude toward them are just the same as ours towards nonmainstream science today). However Niculaus' theory was considered the beginning of astronomy, a mainstream science. People today simply have a stereotype on those non-major science and do not believe in them, even perhaps those science is true and can better explain our universe.

Turning to the next, nonmainstream science do have its advantage, both in physical and in mental. So many such nonmainstream sciences exist, and could help people in their daily lives. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a nonmainstream science in China, even it is not compatible with Western Medicine system which was considered as a mainstream science, it has a very good effect on some illness on which Western Medicine does not have better solution, including cancer. Astrology, as a mental placebo for people, actually benefits people who are losing confidence when they found they will get a better life in divining. Religion and Theology which give people a better heart and restrain people's activities obviously is very important in societies.

However, when the beliefs in nonmainstream science become enthusiasm, some of the nonmainstream sciences become heresy, and the only reason is to do harm to people, since they are not proved yet. Some people deeply believe in paranormal pursuits, they do everything go pursuit those paranormal and finally, they got nothing. Heresy, which Is based on faulty science, is another example, when the leader of a heresy ordered their adherents to destroy the world, those zealots then kill people and suicide. For the above reason, people should try to identify those sciences.

Science, no matter mainstream or nonmainstream, are the ways people trying to understand and explain this world. It is unfair to consider any of them as wrong theories or heresy. Nonmainstream science, even are not mainly acknowledged, do have its importance in society; people should have a more objective view on such science.