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Log inThe Trouble with Scientism: Why history and the humanities is also a form of knowledge
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The Trouble with Scientism: Why history and the humanities is also a form of knowledge
by MulaiAzhagi Sun May 13, 2012 9:42 pm
All a poet can do today is warn.”It is so easy to underrate the impact
of the humanities and of the arts. Too many people, some of whom should
know better, do it all the time. But understanding why the natural
sciences are regarded as the gold standard for human knowledge is not
hard. When molecular biologists are able to insert fragments of DNA
into bacteria and turn the organisms into factories for churning out
medically valuable substances, and when fundamental physics can predict
the results of experiments with a precision comparable to measuring the
distance across North America to within the thickness of a human hair,
their achievements compel respect, and even awe. To derive one’s notion
of human knowledge from the most striking accomplishments of the
natural sciences easily generates a conviction that other forms of
inquiry simply do not measure up. Their accomplishments can come to
seem inferior, even worthless, at least until the day when these
domains are absorbed within the scope of “real science.”
http://www.tnr.com/article/books-and-arts/magazine/103086/scientism-humanities-knowledge-theory-everything-arts-science
of the humanities and of the arts. Too many people, some of whom should
know better, do it all the time. But understanding why the natural
sciences are regarded as the gold standard for human knowledge is not
hard. When molecular biologists are able to insert fragments of DNA
into bacteria and turn the organisms into factories for churning out
medically valuable substances, and when fundamental physics can predict
the results of experiments with a precision comparable to measuring the
distance across North America to within the thickness of a human hair,
their achievements compel respect, and even awe. To derive one’s notion
of human knowledge from the most striking accomplishments of the
natural sciences easily generates a conviction that other forms of
inquiry simply do not measure up. Their accomplishments can come to
seem inferior, even worthless, at least until the day when these
domains are absorbed within the scope of “real science.”
http://www.tnr.com/article/books-and-arts/magazine/103086/scientism-humanities-knowledge-theory-everything-arts-science
MulaiAzhagi- Posts : 1254
Join date : 2011-12-20
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