.. is its reliance upon empirical facts.
The trouble with a ‘scientific’ argument, of course, is that it is not made in the real world, but in a laboratory by an unimaginative academic relying solely on empirical facts.
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The only difference between Hitler and previous governments was that he believed, with babyish credulity, in science as the only truth. He allowed scientists freedoms which a civilised government would have checked.
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The worship of science is the great superstition of our age.
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There was a blanket denunciation of his heresy, just as there is if anyone dares to point out some of the mistakes made by that very fallible genius Charles Darwin.Science rules – and it does so with just as much energy as the old Spanish Inquisition that refused to allow any creed other than Catholicism, and with the Inquisition’s need to distort arguments and control the brains of men and women who might otherwise think for themselves.
I feel substantially dumber for having read that.
7 Responses to “The Trouble With Science…”
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Wow, that was just… wow. I would say more but my brain cells just slipped a gear.
A.N. Wilson is a well known writing fool. Of course the claim that Hitler was a believer in science and let it run unrestrained is totally bogus. He heavily restricted science; outlawing much that was labeled ‘Jewish science’ and promoted all sorts of pseudo scientific nonsense that aligned with his political and superstitious beliefs. Science practiced at the death camps was of course highly corrupted and immoral. But so was everything else in the death camp system of the Holocaust.
“Freedom is the freedom to say that 2+2=4. From this, all else follows.” – George Orwell.
Teaching truth is not brainwashing. True and false are not mere differences of opinion. Call me crazy, but I think somebody’s hoping to enslave their scientific community in true Robert Stadler-esque fashion.
There is no pressure to print anything that does not excite or frighten the public into buying more newspapers, magazines, or watching more news on TV. Increasing readership increases the attractiveness of the medium for advertisers, which increases the profitability of the medium.
That writer is free not to use science. Apparently, all he has can be obtained without believing anything that can be tested. Kinda like post-modern journalism.
On the other hand, the comments linked to the article are very entertaining. They really rake Wilson over the coals.
True. Thank God.
Didn’t he just automatically discredit himself? That’s about the worst example of Godwin’s law I’ve ever seen. It was right there in his premise. Science is bad because Hitler used it! Which isn’t even an entirely accurate premise.
Besides, science is morality neutral. Just like language, math, logic, or actual physical tools. All can be used for evil, although they are, by the by, mostly used by society for the purpose of bettering one’s lot. An all together worthwhile use.