During the Middle Ages there were all kinds of crazy ideas, such as that a piece of rhinoceros horn would increase potency. Then a method was discovered for separating the ideas - which was to try one to see if it worked, and if it didn't work, to eliminate it. This method became organized, of course, into science.

The Pleasure of Finding Things Out: The Best Short Works of Richard P. Feynman (ed. Basic Books, 2005) - ISBN: 9780465023950