R. P. Feynman on social sciences
x1x2x3ctCited 3× on HN, 2012–2015
lecture · general · evergreen · 2012–2015 on HN
A two-minute clip of Richard Feynman on the social sciences, discussing what counts as real science versus pseudo science.
HN cites it in threads on psychology replication and weak research as Feynman's critique of pseudo science.
Up next
15 mo on HNThe Quantum Conspiracy: What Popularizers of QM Don't Want You to Know
Google TechTalks
11 HN recommender · 2012–2025
11 mo on HNJames Burke Connections, Ep. 1 "The Trigger Effect"
DRS_Education
12 HN recommender · 2019–2026
10 mo on HNHamming, "You and Your Research" (June 6, 1995)
securitylectures
11 HN recommender · 2012–2023
9 mo on HNWhy Being Delusional is a Superpower
Veritasium
9 HN recommender · 2020–2024
8 mo on HNIs Most Published Research Wrong?
Veritasium
8 HN recommender · 2017–2025
8 mo on HNRichard Feynman Fire
nebulajr
8 HN recommender · 2010–2023
8 mo on HNPowers of Ten™ (1977)
Eames Office
9 HN recommender · 2012–2025
6 mo on HNFeynman on Scientific Method.
seabala
6 HN recommender · 2012–2024
7 mo on HNWhy It Was Almost Impossible to Make the Blue LED
Veritasium
10 HN recommender · 2024–2026
6 mo on HNDEF CON 26 - Svea, Suggy, Till - Inside the Fake Science Factory
DEFCONConference
5 HN recommender · 2018–2025
7 mo on HNI promise this story about microwaves is interesting.
Tom Scott
9 HN recommender · 2021–2026
6 mo on HNThe LED Traffic Light and the Danger of "But Sometimes!"
Technology Connections
7 HN recommender · 2019–2024
3 comments from Hacker News
R. P. Feynman on social sciences: ▶ this video Psychology, economics, climatology. World is literally run by "almost-sciences" claiming to have an authority of "full-science".
Richard P. Feynman on pseudo science: ▶ this video BTW, I come from the field of robotics and there, hardly any published result is replicated either.
Actually, people still say that sociology, and other social "sciences" are not science. You're assuming that the scientific method is science, but its more than that. Many modern fields of endeavor call themselves sciences mostly because of the success of science. They only superficially emulate science. This includes Computer Science, which is really mathematics and engineering. Feynman himself speaks about it: ▶ this video