Scientism

On this episode of ID the Future, historian Michael Flannery discusses his just-released book Nature’s Prophet: Alfred Russel Wallace and His Evolution from Natural Selection to Natural Theology. It’s the intellectual history of Wallace, who is credited with independently propounding the the theory of evolution by natural selection. Darwin insisted on a purely materialistic version of the theory, but as Wallace studied the evidence, he grew convinced that intelligent design also played a role in the history of life, particularly in the origin of humans. Though not a religious person, he broke with the rising scientism of his day to argue that there must be some “overruling intelligence” behind nature.

On this episode of ID the Future, hear Jay Richards’ recent talk given at a Washington D.C. event entitled “March for Science or March for Scientism? Understanding the Real Threats to Science in America.”

On this episode of ID the Future, John West is on The Universe Next Door with Tom Woodward discussing the re-release of his book Darwin Day in America, which describes the growing misuse of science to curtail basic freedoms, erode time-honored ethics, and circumvent democratic accountability. Tune in as Dr. West explains why the book needed an update, giving a look into his new chapter “Scientism in the Age of Obama — and Beyond.”

On this episode of ID the Future, hear about a few cases of scientism acting as a quasi-religion. For many people, science — and evolution in particular — gives their lives a sense of meaning, providing an overarching vision of something larger than themselves. These recent pieces of science news illustrate exactly how evolutionary thinking can serve in the role of religious faith as scientific claims are made that go far beyond the evidence. For more on C.S. Lewis’ warnings against scientism, watch the short documentary The Magician’s Twin: C.S. Lewis and the Case against Scientism

On this episode of ID the Future, pro-ID mathematician Granville Sewell explains his views on common design and how the second law of thermodynamics challenges materialism. Listen in as Sewell and Luskin explore an expanse of important topics, such as the origin of human consciousness, scientism, education policy, and the problem of evil.