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STS Assignment1

The document discusses the concepts of scientism and technocracy. Scientism is the belief that science is the only form of real knowledge, while technocracy proposes rule by technical experts. The document argues that scientism and technocracy can promote credulity by discouraging critical thinking, as people may accept scientific and technical claims without questioning them. It also suggests that science and the pursuit of power over the world are linked, for better or worse. The title "The Magician's Twin" refers to C.S. Lewis' view that science and magic are similar in how they can function as alternative religions that discourage doubt.

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Cagabcab Canibel Melany
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462 views

STS Assignment1

The document discusses the concepts of scientism and technocracy. Scientism is the belief that science is the only form of real knowledge, while technocracy proposes rule by technical experts. The document argues that scientism and technocracy can promote credulity by discouraging critical thinking, as people may accept scientific and technical claims without questioning them. It also suggests that science and the pursuit of power over the world are linked, for better or worse. The title "The Magician's Twin" refers to C.S. Lewis' view that science and magic are similar in how they can function as alternative religions that discourage doubt.

Uploaded by

Cagabcab Canibel Melany
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1.What is Scientism?

Scientism is the belief that science is all the real knowledge there is. I think scientism is at the heart
of the question of the relationship between science and Christianity or science and religious faith.

2.The video contends that science and technology may be gaining increasing control over our lives,
potentially to the society.
Do you agree? Does this match your own observations and experiences?

3. According to the film, how is science being likened to a religion? What were examples of
movements in history that
became cause for concern that the scientific method was being applied beyond its appropriate
boundaries?

4. Science is supposed to promote critical thinking. According to the film, how might science actually
promote credulous,
gullible thinking?

5. The film contends that much of modern science is about exerting power over the world. Is this a
virtue/advantage or a liability/disadvantage?

6. Why is the title of the film “The Magician’s Twin”?

Scientism is the exorbitant faith in the intensity of scientific knowledge. It’s the use

of systematic designs and logically inclined dispositions and/or ideas that are drawn from

the natural sciences which are then integrated to human exercises and social experiences. It

is the belief that science is the only way to be safe in times of catastrophic events and

apparently for them who believe in this dogmatic behavior, not being scientific equates to

being inferior in terms of power and rate of credibility.

Technocracy is a proposed arrangement of administration where leaders are ideally

chosen based on their technical ability and field of specialization. Since the term

‘technocracy’ was initially used to advocate the use of scientific methods to address and to

take care of societal issues, it is somehow likened to scientism because this said framework

expressly appears in a variety of ways in relation to the idea of technocrats being in total

control (having the utmost managerial authority) over those people with various political

affiliations or parliamentary abilities. Too long, didn’t read: mere politicians have become

the puppets of these so-called technical experts.

CS Lewis went to considerable lengths to underline that he was not “hostile to

science.” But rather he unambivalently restricted “scientism.” According to him, scientism is

the wrong-headed conviction that ONLY the cutting edge of science can supply the main solid

technique for learning about the world, and its end product apparently led those
scientists/technocrats to think that they are the only ones who have the privilege to direct

the general public’s ethics, religious convictions, and even the right to rule over government

strategies just because of their superiority complex, the result of their exceptional logical

skill.

The expression "the magician's twin" originates from Lewis himself. As John West

points out, “the comparison between science and magic runs throughout a number of his

works”, the two thoughts of science and magic being comparative in that they can work as

an elective religion in their support of an absence of doubt, and in their journey for control.

In the film, one of the similarities of science and magic was that both of the elements

promote credulity. In ancient times, a person of great magical prowess held great authority

so long as he/she could reinforce it with results. That thought alone instilled fear and the

admiration of his subordinates towards him prevented them from further questioning how

credible he is, and they readily accepted any words that spouted from them, the magicians,

as absolute truth, without any doubt and that made them gullible. The documentary

proposes the same manifestation that is also happening today in the realm of science. Take

the case of a doctor and patient relationship. The patient will naturally believe anything the

doctor has to say, regardless if it is really true or a misjudge on his part. A typical patient will

readily accept any of what the doctor says, due to the fact that he doesn’t know the process,

or the “science” behind his/her disease. He knows his thoughts will be of no meaning and

will be dismissed by the general consensus. He doesn’t doubt, as he believes that the doctor

knows more of the science aspect than he himself. As what we can see, due to the complexity

of science alone, science can be used as a tool for deception, a tool to discourage an

inquisitive mind, a tool to disregard critical thinking and promote gullibility.

The third part of the documentary discusses how science can be used as power or

how one can gain authority with science. While this sounds as a very aggressive claim, this

might actually be the main driving force of science and technology. We knew science as a

systematic process of knowing and explaining things. We strive to know so that we can create

something that could be of convenience to us. Similar to the film, let me cite Stephen

Hawking’s famous quote during his interview on BBC. “The development of full artificial

intelligence could spell the end of the human race. Humans, who are limited by slow

biological evolution, could not compete and would be superseded [by AI].”
Professor Hawking said that the crude types of computerized reasoning have

officially demonstrated an exceptional helpful impact in our society. However, he feared the

results of making something that could coordinate and eventually outperform us in the

future. Moreover, our scientific advancements, when put into wrong hands and when be

driven by ill intentions of powerful oligarchs, could really end up into something devastating

and worst, the destruction of humanity.

References:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPeyJvXU68k

• http://www.cslewisweb.com/2013/11/the-magicians-twin-three-part-documentary/

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientism

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technocracy

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