Science Says You're Wrong, Mr. Einstein!

In the field of comparative religion, they—we—talk about a religion called “Scientism.” Without being recognized as such, it is the dominant religion of our day. It is the belief that “science” is a body of certain knowledge, and that it can potentially and will eventually explain all things: life, the universe, and everything.

Both assumptions are nonsense, but they are the bedrock beliefs of the general public. Back in the intensely scientistic early Sixties, I used to read DC comics. Almost every one had, as a public service, a page called “Science says you’re wrong if you believe that…” I wish I could still find a copy of one of those pages; but I recall one tidbit: “Science says you’re wrong if you believe different races differ in their abilities.” That’s Scientism.

DC’s basic idea seems to have been that it was an obvious public service to propagate “science”; that science was a set body of certainties; and that science and public morality were somehow the same thing. But real science is a method, and if it is working today’s conclusions may be overturned tomorrow. Indeed, even today, science is never going to speak with one voice. “Science” says nothing at all. Scientists do, and they will always disagree.

Here’s a scientific article disputing some of our common assumptions about AIDS. It argues that there is no real evidence of an epidemic of HIV infection in Africa, that AIDS in Africa is not clearly caused by HIV, and that there is no real evidence that HIV can even be transmitted heterosexually.

Is it “unscientific”? Hardly. This is what real science is supposed to do: challenge established assumptions. Science says you’re wrong if you believe science says anything is finally wrong.

Similarly, some “expert” recently proposed decertifying any TV weatherman who refused to accept the doctrine of “global warming.” This is Scientism at its worst: “science” as a body of set beliefs one must ascribe to, or else one is a heretic.

Here’s a brief rebuttal from an ABC weatherman.

In the end, for all the harm it does, Scientism does more harm to science than to anything else.