In the history of culture, philosophies and natural sciences existed various forms of knowledge which were far from samples and standards of classical scientific knowledge. They are carried to department of unscientific knowledge.
Similarities of scientific and unscientific knowledge
If to consider that scientific knowledge is based on rationality, it is necessary to understand that unscientific or extra scientific knowledge is not an invention or a fiction. Unscientific knowledge as well as scientific, is made in some intellectual communities according to certain norms and standards. Own means and sources of knowledge have unscientific and scientific knowledge. It is known that the set of forms of unscientific knowledge are more senior than knowledge which is recognized as scientific. For example, the alchemy is much more senior than chemistry, and astrology is more senior than astronomy.
Sources have scientific and unscientific knowledge. For example, the first is based on results of experiments and sciences. Its form can be considered the theory. Laws of science follow in certain hypotheses. Forms of the second consider myths, popular wisdom, common sense and practical activities. In certain cases unscientific knowledge can be also based on feeling which conducts to a so-called revelation or metaphysical inspiration. The belief can become an example of unscientific knowledge. Unscientific knowledge can be carried out by art, for example, during creation of an artistic image.
Differences of scientific and unscientific knowledge
First, the main difference of scientific knowledge from unscientific is the objectivity of the first. The person who adheres to scientific views, understands the fact that in the world everything develops irrespective of any given desires. Authorities and private opinions cannot influence such situation. Otherwise the world could appear in chaos and hardly in general existed. Secondly, scientific knowledge unlike unscientific is directed to result in the future. Scientific fruits unlike unscientific can not always yield fast results. Many theories before opening are exposed to doubts and persecutions from those who do not want to recognize objectivity of the phenomena. There can pass enough time until discovery unlike unscientific is declared valid. A striking example can become Galilei Galileo or Copernicus's opening concerning the movement of Earth and the structure of the solar Galaxy. Scientific and unscientific knowledge always are in confrontation that causes one more difference. Scientific knowledge always takes place the following stages: observation and classification, experiment and explanation of the natural phenomena. All this is not inherent in unscientific knowledge.