The Limits of Science

In most circles of Western culture, frameworks like Ayurveda, energy healing, breathwork, and acupuncture are viewed as “alternative” therapies. These modalities are often derisively labeled with the term “pseudo-science.”

Although this has been slowly evolving over time, the dominant Western culture dismisses and devalues whatever has not been “proven by science.”

Here’s the problem with this view:

The reliance on “what is proven” regards “evidence” as synonymous with “true.” But evidence is just what we see, and what we see is what we look for.

The reality of scientific research is that it’s a business. Science is not neutral. It is shaped by what gets studied, which itself is dependent on:

• What gets funded
• Who is making the decisions on funding
• What their interests are
• What aligns with their narratives

Like many other aspects of life, this comes down to issues of power and control.

“Absence of evidence” is not “evidence of absence:” it only means that there hasn’t been enough resources devoted to the topic.