11.05.09
Is Science Just a New Religion?
Is Science Just a New Religion?
Are we doing ourselves a disservice when we speak about our “belief” in evolution? Should we find a new way to talk about the “theories” that underlie our ideas? What about when we talk about the “design” of human anatomy? Why are we always finding ourselves on the defensive? Doesn’t all of the natural evidence that the universe has to offer support the conclusions that scientists have drawn (and modified) over the past five centuries? I’ve had religious friends confront me about my passion for neuroscience, noting that my excitement often sounds suspiciously like religious fervor. And, very matter-of-factly, I must explain that there are two enormous differences between science and religion: doubt and faith.
James said,
November 6, 2009 at 6:04 pm
The issue is not “science vs. religion” or “faith vs. reason” but intellectual imperialism. You would have to be extremely stupid and/or brainwashed to not realize that this is a huge problem with Big Science. It is an undesirable human trait, and few, if any, groups in human history have ever been able to transcend it. The problem can be seen in the hilariously knee-jerk dismissals of anything that is vaguely associated with “religion” by modern scientistic atheists. They’re as brainwashed as any fundamentalist Christian.
At any rate, isn’t it amazing that the mainstream debate here hasn’t produced one first rate intellect among any of the parties? It’s just the same canned, mass produced ideas repeated over and over again. Read a little Kant and Schopenhauer (or even a little Bennett) and you realize the insignificance of the debate.
Darwiniana » Big Science and intellectual imperialism said,
November 6, 2009 at 6:39 pm
[...] Comment on Is Science Just A New Religion James said, November 6, 2009 at 6:04 pm · The issue is not “science vs. religion” or “faith vs. reason” but intellectual imperialism. You would have to be extremely stupid and/or brainwashed to not realize that this is a huge problem with Big Science. It is an undesirable human trait, and few, if any, groups in human history have ever been able to transcend it. The problem can be seen in the hilariously knee-jerk dismissals of anything that is vaguely associated with “religion” by modern scientistic atheists. They’re as brainwashed as any fundamentalist Christian. [...]
nemo said,
November 6, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Good comment.
The danger of a discourse about mechanical laws is that it will become mechanical itself. Big Science is curtailing the intellects of is cult members