They are souls, to use a pre-social-science word.

FORBES: Morality First: The End of Behaviorism

Data science has the potential to create entirely new sources of wealth and social benefits, but cannot do so if it remains a pre-paradigmatic science or becomes a paraprofessional practice.

FORBES: What Data Science Can Do To Become A Classic

Ever since I've been reporting on science and health, there have been dire warnings of a return to the pre-antibiotic era.

BBC: Action on antibiotics