Nihilism is the most unfortunate consequence of Evolutionary biology, and Science more generally
Men like Darwin may not have intended it. But that's been the consequence on the ground, as evidenced by tweets like this
Men like Darwin may not have intended it. But that's been the consequence on the ground, as evidenced by tweets like this
The "Scientific mindset" inevitably engenders an indifference towards "values" and diversity of any kind
And also encourages this somewhat problematic habit of viewing everything on a "geological time scale" instead of a historical time-scale
And also encourages this somewhat problematic habit of viewing everything on a "geological time scale" instead of a historical time-scale
The Scientific mindset cannot understand words like cultural diversity, lingual diversity, good and evil, appropriate and inappropriate, sublime and vulgar.
These "value judgments" are not the domain of science. They belong to the realm of Non Science. Hence viewed with contempt
These "value judgments" are not the domain of science. They belong to the realm of Non Science. Hence viewed with contempt
A true "scientist" cannot comprehend why "nations" exist. Why we have a 100 different governments. Why we have borders. Why we limit social intercourse in N different artificial ways.
After all, haven't we all descended from apes?
After all, haven't we all descended from apes?
Science also finds "diversity" problematic.
Because diversity comes in the way of "progress". And progress is defined in linear terms.
For instance - it is hard for scientists to digest that some might find "stem cell research" morally problematic.
Because diversity comes in the way of "progress". And progress is defined in linear terms.
For instance - it is hard for scientists to digest that some might find "stem cell research" morally problematic.
Science also finds irrational human notions like "ambition", "shame", "pride", "devotion", "lust" problematic. Even though these very "irrational" aspects of human character drive civilization.
As the great Harvey Mansfield once said -
"Science has an implicit argument that science is important; it is a grand project for making human life more reasonable, less customary, less concerned with ambition and greatness"
"Science has an implicit argument that science is important; it is a grand project for making human life more reasonable, less customary, less concerned with ambition and greatness"
Science is obsessed also with the "Fact-value distinction".
It places facts on a pedestal, conveniently forgetting that many "Facts" in social science are in fact values - and can be challenged
It places facts on a pedestal, conveniently forgetting that many "Facts" in social science are in fact values - and can be challenged
Eg : If you go to a classroom, the "Science" of mathematics will tell you how many students are there in the room.
But depending on one's definition of a "true student", that answer can infact be challenged and may vary from one person to another.
But depending on one's definition of a "true student", that answer can infact be challenged and may vary from one person to another.
The final irony is that Science claims to hate all forms of hierarchy. After all, aren't we all a bunch of atoms. Nevertheless it is quick to proclaim its own supremacy over every other aspect of human endeavor
As Mansfield put it
"Science (may) seem more democratic. It undermines all traditional elites, but quietly, implicitly, replaces them with a scientific elite hostile to all elitism except its own. Science democratizes everything but its own despotic self"
Will stop on that note
"Science (may) seem more democratic. It undermines all traditional elites, but quietly, implicitly, replaces them with a scientific elite hostile to all elitism except its own. Science democratizes everything but its own despotic self"
Will stop on that note
