Scientific (scientific knowledge, scientific research) — compliance with the criteria of scientific knowledge. namely, the orderliness, validity and practical effectiveness of certain statements. Scientific knowledge is thought out, generalized, rational, substantiated by professional observation and organized experiment.
Clarity and Orderliness of Statements
Scientificness begins with the clarity and elementary orderliness of reasoning (text) — or research: see if concepts are defined, if there is logic and conceptual coherence in reasoning. Darkness instead of clarity — relying on such text is risky. If it is clear what is being said, there is a system and order, one follows from the other, one can hope for scientific character. Not even that — not science at all.
Usually, where emotions begin, order disappears. And along with order, scientificity also disappears.
Validity of the claims
The next point is the validity of the statements, the presence of facts or other evidence base under them.
«Why do you think so? Why should we trust you? What are you basing yourself on?» Are there any answers to these questions?
Justification can be of different strengths, from at least some justification (evidence is random and unreliable) to real serious, when everything and always testifies, when the evidence is reliable: objective, reliable and valid. See →
If we can not only confidently, logically explain what has already happened, but also confidently predict what will happen in the future, this is a predictive power. Predictive power is the strongest validity.
Practical benefits
If there are two valid theories, but one is more useful, it gives more or faster results — it is considered more scientific. If there are two opinions, both are similar to the truth, but with one it is clear what to do, and with the other one can only agree, and it is not clear what to do — smart people choose the one that is practical.
The situation is more complicated when some opinion is useful, practical, but it lacks any serious justification.
“I believe the universe is friendly to me. There are no scientific justifications, no evidence, but how warm! Supports me mentally and helps me cope with difficulties. — This is not evidence, it is not at all objective, but for this person it is reliable and most importantly — for him it is practical! How this issue is resolved in practical psychology — see Is Practical Psychology Needed to Be Scientific?
Short summary
What is scientific is that which, in an understandable and reliable way, produces a confident effect for many people. Scientific is what works like a good intellectual tool: with this hammer you can always hammer a nail, with this glue you will always firmly connect the parts, this technology will always give the desired result. And this technology is transferable, it works not only in my hands, it is fair for everyone.
Well, after all, not quite everyone, but people who are trained and educated. People with the right hands and brains.