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Laura Gradowski, Dept. of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Pittsburgh

—The term "fringe" is often used to disparage or dismiss a theory as unserious, or obviously false. By contrast, I outline an account that is neutral about the epistemic status of fringe theories. Historical precedent suggests that intolerance towards fringe theories—expressed, e.g., by way of the term ‘pseudoscience’—can be epistemically harmful to science itself. Several theories across the sciences were initially ridiculed and dismissed as fringe, delaying the uptake of groundbreaking research. I consider the risks of increased tolerance towards fringe theories, and I defend the view that fringe theories are fundamental to the health of science.