There are examples of presently accepted scientific theories that were once criticised by some as being pseudoscientific. The transition is marked by increasingly scientific scrutiny and specificity within the field and an increased level of evidence to support the theory. Continental drift theory was once considered pseudoscientific (Williams 2000:58), but is now part of mainstream science especially since the paleomagnetic evidence was discovered that supported plate tectonics.

Fields can also repudiate notions that some consider to be pseudoscientific in favour of more conventional element(s) of their field. For example, Atwood (2004) suggested that “osteopathy has, for the most part, repudiated its pseudoscientific beginnings and joined the world of rational healthcare.”

At times, scientists use the descriptor “pseudoscience” to distinguish between even mainstream investigations of varying rigor. As observational evidence and theoretical descriptions improve and fields develop, disciplines criticized for having pseudoscientific aspects may become more respected by the scientific community. The field of physical cosmology has had such a history. Currently, string theory has been criticized by certain researchers as suffering from the same problems

(Source: Wikipedia)

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