CCO101

Thinking & Reasoning

GBA 2: Pseudo-sciences
TG04
Group 2:
Anusha D/O Lakshmanan
Mervin Sim Meng Wee
Siti Afiqah Bte Ab Latip
Tan Xue Er Jocelyn
Yong Jie Hui Jeffrey

Pseudo-sciences, also known as social sciences, is the study of human behaviour. Karl Popper
stated that theories from pseudo-sciences are built on observations rather than rationalism.
Pseudo-science theories do not contain similar characteristics that scientific theories do.
Scientific theories are falsifiable as experiments are conducted to test, falsify or refute the
hypothesis. On the other hand, pseudo-sciences cannot be tested as it does not make
falsifiable claims. There are three key reasons as to why theories in pseudo-sciences are
unfalsifiable.
The first reason is claims made are often vague and broad in nature such that it can escape
refutability. In addition, it is impossible to test for accuracy, hence it is not falsifiable. The
second reason is when there is evidence that opposes the claims made by theorists, these
theorists make revisions to their theories and evidence. This ensures that theories cannot be
falsified. The third reason is that the original theory is built upon existing evidence and
observations which allows for the building of a claim that is irrefutable as this claim is
strengthened by any new evidence uncovered which serves as an additional confirmation for
the theory.
Using points made in the above mentioned discussion of Poppers notion of pseudo-sciences
we will aim to make the claim that Japan is supporting terror groups to amass military power
unfalsifiable. The conspiracy theory claims that Japan is supporting terror groups indirectly
through private Japanese companies such as Toyota. In the case of Toyota there are evidences
linking Toyota with ISIS. The link being firstly, many vehicles used by ISIS are manufactured
by Toyota. Moreover these cars seem to be specially manufactured to perform the functions
of car bombs. Therefore showing that Japan through Toyota has been supporting ISIS
activities.

The key reason given as to why there is a need for Japan to support terror groups to amass
military power is that Japan needs to maintain the faade that it is a dormant military power.
Therefore if it wishes to retaliate against any country it can use terror groups to do so. By
supporting terror groups, these groups become Japans marionette. This reason is
substantiated with the example of how Japan is using ISIS to attempt attacks on Russia.

This theory is unfalsifiable because it is irrefutable and not testable. While there had been
many coincidences, such as Toyota naming a vehicle called ISIS and terrorist groups using
Toyota vehicles as their transport, the theory seems irrefutable.

Even though Toyota tried to deny opposing claims with these statements, Toyota claiming
that ISISs acquisition of their vehicles was simply a mistake and Toyotas official
explanation that they do not know how terrorists acquired so many of their vehicles, it is not
testable because words cannot account for the accuracy of the statements in which evidences
can be always be covered up.
Hence, this theory is not testable, irrefutable and unfalsifiable, which shares common
characteristics of pseudo-sciences.

Despite the theory being unfalsifiable, the diplomatic ties between Japan and Russia have
improved despite the claim of a continuous high-strung relationship stated in the theory.
Japan-Russia relations have been growing since 2010 because of trade which allowed
improvement in economies in both countries. In addition, the Japanese government revised
their diplomatic policy towards Russia.
More importantly, the Japanese have annulled efforts towards Russia on the topic of
territorial dispute which have caused the Russo-Japanese war in the early 20th century (Yoko

Hirose, 2015). Today, the Japanese are keener in strengthening relations with Russia, which
makes Japaneses use of ISIS against Russia questionable.

However, this could be a facade by the Japanese, to gain the trust of Russia through
beneficial bilateral trade. Once the Japanese have fully gained the trust of Russia, they can
use ISIS as a surprise attack to gain back the territories they had lost in the past.