Is Scientism misleading Christians about Science?

[John the Bpt]

I am under the impression that Scientism is misleading many Christians into believing that many controversial scientific facts such as evolution and origins of the earth and universe are just beliefs. What do you think?

 

[bhsmte]

I am under the impression that Scientism is misleading many Christians into believing that many controversial scientific facts such as evolution and origins of the earth and universe are just beliefs. What do you think?

Why are you under this impression?

And you call evolution a scientific fact. If evolution is a scientific fact, how can it be controversial? Do you know the definition of a "fact"?

 

[John the Bpt]

Evolution for example has been around for 150 years. Within scientific circles it is certainly no longer controversial. But amongst Christians it certainly is. Evolution is accepted scientific fact.

 

[John the Bpt]

...the idea would no longer exist.

 

[Eudaimonist]

I am under the impression that Scientism is misleading many Christians into believing that many controversial scientific facts such as evolution and origins of the earth and universe are just beliefs. What do you think?

What do you mean by "Scientism"?


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[John the Bpt]

"Scientism[bless and do not curse]is belief in the universal applicability of the[bless and do not curse]scientific method[bless and do not curse]and approach, and the view that[bless and do not curse]empirical science constitutes the most authoritative worldview or most valuable part of human learning to the exclusion of other viewpoints."

 

[bhsmte]

Evolution for example has been around for 150 years. Within scientific circles it is certainly no longer controversial. But amongst Christians it certainly is. Evolution is accepted scientific fact.

What is your position?

Are you saying evolution should not be an accepted scientific fact?

 

[John the Bpt]

...science is not a belief. Evolution is an accepted scientific fact

 

[bhsmte]

...science is not a belief. Evolution is an accepted scientific fact

Ok, you agree that evolution is well evidenced and is considered a scientific fact.

Why then, do you call it "controversial" in your opening post, if you consider it a scientific fact?

 

[John the Bpt]

...when they contradict beliefs.

 

[Booko]

I am under the impression that Scientism is misleading many Christians into believing that many controversial scientific facts such as evolution and origins of the earth and universe are just beliefs. What do you think?

I think the whole religion vs. science war is a relic of European history and a false dichotomy we can toss overboard any time now.

Yes, scientism is an overreach, just as religion acting like it has all the answers to everything is an overreach.

Science and religion have their uses in their own spheres, and can inform each other, if we could just get over some of the bad history between the two.

As for evolution being just a belief, I have noticed people who believe this don't seem to have a problem partaking of medicine that would not exist if evolutionary theory were wrong.

 

[Booko]

Why are you under this impression?

Scientism is belief in the universal applicability of the scientific method and approach, and the view that empirical science constitutes the most authoritative worldview or most valuable part of human learning to the exclusion of other viewpoints.

from Wiki

Empiricism has limits just like anything else in epistemology.

Scientism asserts it is superior to other methods, which is flagrantly untrue to anyone mildly acquainted with arts and humanities.

So yes, that's an overreach. And because scientism takes this extreme view, may religious people conclude (wrongly imo) they need to choose between religion and science. And they choose religion.

This is damaging to both religion and science. And human progress, for that matter.

And you call evolution a scientific fact. If evolution is a scientific fact, how can it be controversial? Do you know the definition of a "fact"?

Meh, people call gravity a fact too, but it's "only a theory".

Language is not always exact.

 

[bhsmte]

Meh, people call gravity a fact too, but it's "only a theory".

Language is not always exact.

Only a theory???

Do you know what a scientific theory is and what it represents?

Regarding arts and humanities, how do these methods go about telling us about the world we live in and how is the information verified, to be reliable?

 

[Booko]

Only a theory???

Do you know what a scientific theory is and what it represents?

Regarding arts and humanities, how do these methods go about telling us about the world we live in and how is the information verified, to be reliable?

Before you get your knickers in a twist, you might ponder why I put "only a theory" in scare quotes.

And I'm a chemist.

So figure it out.

If you can't figure out how arts and humanities address the human condition from the point of view of the heart (metaphorically speaking of course) then I am very sorry you are leading such a bland life.

I've yet to find scientific method yields much in the way of dealing with things like love or compassion or what it means to be a human.

Yes, science can inform these things in some ways, but look around, I do not see people inspired to feed the poor because they read research in peer-reviewed journals about the physical and psychological ramifications of poverty.

 

[bhsmte]

If you can't figure out how arts and humanities address the human condition from the point of view of the heart (metaphorically speaking of course) then I am very sorry you are leading such a bland life.

I simply wanted to hear your take on the above and how you both derive information about the human condition and how you go about verifying the information and or conclusions, as reliable.

If you don't want to answer, then don't.

 

[Booko]

I simply wanted to hear your take on the above and how you both derive information about the human condition and how you go about verifying the information and or conclusions, as reliable.

If you don't want to answer, then don't.

Does this look like a free uni series? Are you going to do my housework and taxes while I explain what should be obvious enough to any educated person?

OK, here's another form of knowledge and you can start reading what methods it uses.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historiography

 

[bhsmte]

Does this look like a free uni series? Are you going to do my housework and taxes while I explain what should be obvious enough to any educated person?

OK, here's another form of knowledge and you can start reading what methods it uses.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historiography

Looks like I struck a nerve. Lets just forget about it then.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Scientism is cool, but extreme tho, but theres not much science discussed on "how to run a community". Thats left to freedom, or faith.

 

[Gadarene]

Scientism barely exists if at all. People who go on about "scientism" are basically butthurt that science does a better job explaining something than their preferred strain of woo does.

 

[John the Bpt]

I was referring to Christians who might view scientism as a mistaken view of science itself. I just saw it mentioned in a thread yesterday. I think Scientism may have become a straw man for condemning science.