Re: Signs of Scientism - Scene 2

How about this, which I just read in the Dec. 24-Jan 6 Economist (which
contains a survey of human evolution):

 "What [current] hypotheses [of human evolution] have in common is that they
rely not on Spencer's idea of individual competition, but on social
interaction. . . . Of the three great secular faiths born in the 19th
Century -- Darwinism, Marxism, and Freudianism -- the second died swiftly
and painfully and the third is slipping peacefully away. But Darwinism goes
from strength to strength. If its ideas are right, the handful of dust that
evolution has shaped into humanity will rarely stray too far off course.
And that is, perhaps, a hopeful thought to carry into the New Year."

On 1/18/06, Gregory Arago <gregoryarago@yahoo.ca> wrote:

> Perhaps another thread would be possible for the following question:
>
> *What are the signs of scientism and where are they evident in theories of
> evolution and ID?*
>
> I hope it is o.k. to restart the topic after many insightful comments on
> the other thread. This question could perhaps also help to clarify what
> aspects of ID display scientism, since it is thought that the ID program or
> strategy over-reaches or tries to somehow reinvent or redefine the common or
> general perception of 'science.'
>
> For example, when M.Behe says, "Intelligent design theory has implications
> for virtually all humane studies, including philosophy, theology, literary
> criticism, history and more," this is to me an example of exceeding the
> boundaries of scientific speculation. But then again, he is not necessarily
> speaking as a scientist when o pining about ID's 'implications.'
>
> On the other hand, since a thread was just opened about R. Dawkins, the
> issue of what aspects of evolutionary theories (if any) display scientism
> may be fresh when considering his views. Granted that not all evolutionary
> theories necessarily lead to atheism or agnosticism and not all scientists
> who accept evolutionary theories display scientism.
>
> The comment by Rich Blinne that ID is closer to 'moderate forms of
> theistic evolution' or evolutionary creation than it is to
> YEC seems relevant (and rather curious) also.
>
>
> Gregory
>
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Received on Wed Jan 18 22:27:55 2006