Interesting column from Vancouver Sun journalist Douglas Todd, titled “Scientism Infects Darwinian Debates.” There are some good points in there, although I’d also suggest that there is a difference between Darwinism, physicalism and scientism – and the first two are probably more pertinent when it comes to discussions of evolution. Equally interesting is the reaction from Phil ‘Bad Astronomy’ Plait:
It’s all too easy to poopoo science, and to say that scientists are black and white automatons who go through the motions of the scientific method, rejecting anything with sparkle or color or surprise. But that conclusion itself lacks imagination. Science is full of wonder, of surprise, of leaps of imagination. If it were anything else, we wouldn’t have probes orbiting other worlds, we wouldn’t have vaccinations capable of wiping out scourges like smallpox, we wouldn’t have digital cameras, the Internet, ever-faster computers, cars, planes, televisions.
I think Phil, and most of the commenters over there, appear to have missed the point…and it’s a common mistake. Attacking scientism is not an attack on science. Though if you think it is, then you might be veering into scientism yourself. Science is a wonderful tool, and we all embrace the advances that have been made through its use. However, just as you wouldn’t tell everyone that they can do everything at home with a hammer, those who take on the task of defending science risk alienating people be trying to impose science on all other areas. That’s scientism, it does happen, and that’s what Todd is referring to.
