The Case Against Scientism: C.S. Lewis

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Questions and Answers

According to C.S. Lewis, what is a key similarity between science and magic?

  • Both are primarily concerned with understanding the world without seeking to control it.
  • Both rely exclusively on empirical evidence and testable hypotheses.
  • Both can function as alternative religions, inspiring wonder and offering explanations beyond daily life. (correct)
  • Both offer a way to understand the limits of the natural world through rational inquiry.

What did C.S. Lewis suggest regarding the potential danger of science compared to magic?

  • Neither is inherently dangerous, as their effects depend on the intentions of those who use them.
  • Science is more dangerous because its effectiveness gives humans the means to control and manipulate others. (correct)
  • Both are equally dangerous because they both seek to alter the natural order.
  • Magic is more dangerous because it relies on the supernatural, which is inherently unpredictable.

According to the content, what belief characterizes scientism?

  • An excessive faith in the power of scientific knowledge and techniques to solve all problems. (correct)
  • A cautious approach to science, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations.
  • The belief that science and religion must be integrated to achieve a complete understanding of the world.
  • A rejection of scientific methods in favor of traditional knowledge.

Why did C.S. Lewis criticize scientism, even though he did not attack science itself?

<p>He feared the application of science beyond its proper bounds, potentially corrupting other disciplines. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can sciences maintain ethical integrity and prevent misuse, according to the text?

<p>By ensuring that scientific inquiry is subject to review, rational critical thinking, and public discourse. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to C.S. Lewis, what is the essence of modernity that has led to significant consequences?

<p>The belief that 'nothing is sacred,' leading to the potential devaluation of human life and dignity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what context does the text mention the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

<p>As instances of the abuse of science, resulting in devastating consequences. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did C.S. Lewis suggest scientists should do to prevent science from being twisted for evil?

<p>Find a way to rescue science from scientism, respecting human rights and honoring human dignity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does science play in today's world?

<p>It contributes to a longer, healthier life, generates solutions for everyday problems, and expands our knowledge. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason cited in the text for science being considered more dangerous than magic?

<p>Science is more effective and reliable, giving humans the power to control and potentially manipulate others. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the critical distinction the text makes between 'science' and 'scientism'?

<p>Science is a method of inquiry, while scientism is the belief that science can explain all aspects of reality. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are science and magic similar in terms of 'credulity'?

<p>Both encourage a stunning lack of skepticism, with people readily believing claims made in their name. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest is necessary for sciences to be 'good'?

<p>Interaction with one another through rational critical thinking and review. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to C.S. Lewis, what is needed to understand the limits of science?

<p>A larger, transcended ethical sphere that sets limits on what we should and shouldn't do. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the text describe the quest for power in both science and magic?

<p>Magic seeks power over nature through spells, while science seeks to control nature through understanding. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way does modern science provide an alternative to traditional religion, according to the text?

<p>By appealing to our yearning for something beyond daily activities and offering its own forms of wonder and mystery. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential danger of applying science to areas outside its proper bounds, according to C.S. Lewis?

<p>It can corrupt other disciplines and lead to misguided efforts. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the text portray the role of science in addressing everyday life and the mysteries of the universe?

<p>Science generates solutions for everyday life and helps us to answer the great mysteries of the universe. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the text imply about the relationship between human rights, human dignity, and scientific advancement?

<p>Science that respects human rights and honors human dignity is essential to prevent misuse and evil. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential consequence of the modern belief that 'nothing is sacred,' according to the content?

<p>The abolition of man and its strength. The consequences of the world, which includes the human person. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

C.S. Lewis compared the serious magical endeavor and serious scientific endeavor as:

<p>Twins. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Science is supposed to be the realm of the...

<p>Rational. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Magic, is supposed to be the domain of the...

<p>Credulous. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Magic wasn't just about understanding the world; it was about...

<p>Controlling it. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Similarly, science from the beginning was not just the effort to understand nature, but the effort to...

<p>Control it. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is Scientism?

Excessive belief in the power of scientific knowledge and techniques.

Science and Magic Similarity #1

Both can function as alternative religions, inspiring wonder and mystery.

Science and Magic Similarity #2

Both can encourage a lack of skepticism; people may believe almost anything if it's dressed up in the name of science.

Science and Magic Similarity #3

Both involve a quest for power. Science seeks to control nature.

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Why is science more dangerous than magic?

Science has the potential to control people through drugs or treatments.

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Essence of Modernity

The essence of modernity is that "nothing is sacred."

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What is needed for sciences to be good?

We must use rational critical thinking, subject ideas to review, and ensure ethics guide science.

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What is Eugenics?

Improving the human species by selectively mating people with specific desirable hereditary traits.

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Study Notes

Magician's Twin: CS Lewis and the Case against Scientism

  • C.S. Lewis warned about the dark side of scientific and technological progress in the first half of the 20th century.
  • Lewis critiqued scientism, or the application of science outside of its proper bounds, in modern society.

Science Today

  • Science contributes to longer, healthier lives.
  • It monitors health and provides medicine.
  • Science helps provide basic needs like food and water.
  • Science generates everyday solutions.
  • It answers mysteries of the universe.
  • Science improves education and increases the quality of life.
  • It creates new knowledge.

Scientism

  • Scientism is an excessive belief in the power of scientific knowledge and techniques.
  • Science is the study of the nature and behavior of natural things and knowledge obtained through them.
  • Science is the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of natural phenomenon
  • Scientism is the view that only science can render the truth about the world and reality.
  • Scientism is a philosophical view of the world.

C.S. Lewis Compared Science to Magic

  • The serious magical endeavor and the serious scientific endeavor are twins.
  • Science and magic are twins.
  • Science is supposed to be rational, skeptical, and objective.
  • Magic is supposed to be dogmatic, credulous, and superstitious.

Ways Science and Magic are Similar

  • Both science and magic function as an alternative religion, which is how Lewis sees them as similar.
  • A magical view of reality inspires wonder, mystery, and surprise, speaking to our yearning for something beyond daily life.
  • Modern science can offer a powerful alternative to traditional religion.
  • Science and magic encourage a lack of skepticism.
  • In the modern world, people will believe nearly anything if it is presented as science.
  • Science is similar to magic because both seek power.
  • Understanding and controlling nature is the quest of science.
  • Magic involves controlling the world.
  • Great wizards or sorcerers sought power over nature.

Benefits of Science

  • Science works, while magic is today found only in fairy tales.
  • Science cures diseases.
  • It increases food production.
  • Science has allowed men to go to the moon and people to travel in jet planes.
  • Science has put computers, iPhones, and microwave ovens in homes.
  • This provides a great temptation of modern science for modern man.

Dangers of Science

  • Science is more dangerous than magic, because magic doesn't work in the end and cannot be used to control the world.
  • Science can be used to control and manipulate others through drugs and treatments.

Abuses of Science

  • On August 6, 1945, an American B-29 bomber dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.
  • This killed 80,000 people immediately.
  • Tens of thousands more died later from radiation exposure.
  • Days later, another atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan.
  • This killed a further 40,000 people instantly.
  • Over time, the number of fatalities increased from the devastating effects of nuclear fallout.

Essence of Modernity

  • The essence of modernity is that nothing is sacred.
  • Abolition of man and his strength is a consequence of that idea.
  • There are no distinctions between humans and animals or humans and vegetables when nothing is sacred.

Sciences to be Good

  • Science needs interaction, rational critical thinking, and review to thrive
  • Science has a role in public policy.
  • To understand science's limits, we need something transcendent and ethical.
  • There should be an understanding that we aren't blind matter in motion.
  • Limits should be set on what we should and shouldn't do.

Preventing Evil Twists

  • C.S. Lewis hoped scientists would rescue science from scientism.
  • He desired science that respected human rights and honored human dignity, a science that would no longer be the magician's twin.

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