Assignment 6 Sts

1. Why was C. S. Lewis very much a skeptic and critic of scientism? Was he against science?
C.S. Lewis was known for his intense interest in the growing power of scientism which
uses various methods of science to explain and control every part of human life. Lewis thought
that science could be corrupted wherein people desires in pursuing science to rule the world with
its power. Herein, Lewis was not against science. He doubts about unguided evolution whereas
certain specie could transform itself into a complex living thing through a process. And he worries
about the dangers that science can bring.
2. How did C. S. Lewis explain the following?

2.1 science as religion
In this aspect, Lewis simply stated that science gives meaning to all. That a simple thing
could possibly have an extraordinary sense of meaning. Also, it was shown that some people
demand science as a religion for they believe how powerful it is. People supposed that
science could explain the origin of almost everything through evidences and in science, it is
more than just an imagination.
2.2 science as credulity

Lewis thinks that people will believe in most of the what science says. It was emphasized
that a person could easily trust whatever that relates to science. A clip was shown where it
flaunts how a mother believes on the capability of science and entrusting his son’s life to it.
Furthermore, Lewis was intrigued with Freud’s psychoanalysis whereas he stressed that by
destroying everything, it leaves you with nothing. Lewis pointed out that if reasoning is
basically based on the rational urges of a person’s mind, then it destroys Freudianism.
2.3 science as power

As presumed in the documentary, people hunt for power. Majority desires authority
over the world. As how it was explained on the previous questions, people easily trust
anything in the name of science. It basically manipulates a person’s thinking.
3. Why did C. S. Lewis think that modern science is far more dangerous than magic?
At first, Lewis thought that science and magic are twins. Through comparison, he knew
that science and magic are quite similar in their ability to function as a religion, their
encouragement of a lack of skepticism, and influence a person’s mind. Through time, modern
science has remade our world to the extent of discovering the dark side of the technological
progress. In magic, our mind simply believes what we see, and think is true. In science, it can
control and manipulate our thinking. Science is far more dangerous than magic because of its
quest for power.
4. Why did C.S. Lewis become increasingly concerned about the rise of scientocracy? How does
scientocracy relate to scientism?
Scientocracy is generally the practice of basing the policies on science. Lewis doubts in the
danger that science could bring. As scientism pertains to the control of every aspect of human
life, scientocracy is bound to create policies that might not be beneficial to the good of
society. Lewis is aware of the capability of science to outpower everything. If people are to
base their works on science, then something good may eventually turned into evil.
5. Based on what you learned in the documentary film, how does scientism pose a threat to the
human person flourishing in science and technology? Why should science be guided by an
ethical basis that is not dictated by science itself?
By observing our surrounding today, we can easily see how technology dominated in
people’s lives. We are being blinded by its power to the extent of forgetting our lives before
technology actually came. In the early age, people believed that science would usher peace
and prosperity. Science must be guided with ethical basis to prevent something good form
being twisted into evil ends. In creating and developing things, we must always consider the
wellness of the people. By knowing how things work, doesn’t tell you what you ought to do
for your society because public policy is not technically about how things work, it is what
good is worth having. Human rights must be prioritized to avoid harmful events from
happening. And science doesn’t give a person the right to dictate to the rest of the society.

Assignment 6 Sts

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Assignment 6 Sts

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Assignment 6 Sts

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1. Why was C. S. Lewis very much a skeptic and critic of scientism? Was he against science?

2. How did C. S. Lewis explain the following?

2.2 science as credulity

2.3 science as power

You might also like