Scientism is the belief that science can and will discover the
answers to all questions, that there are no inherent limits to
the ability of science to solve all problems. In my experience
it is a trait rarely seen in working scientists, but often
accused as a way of dismissing scientific criticism. A recent
editorial in the Vancouver Sun (sent to me by listener Vinay
Punwani) by Doublas Todd misinterprets scientism all together to
create a straw man argument against defenders of evolution. Todd
writes: Those who unknowingly fall into the trap of scientism
act as if hard science is the only way of knowing reality. If
something can’t be “proved” through the scientific method,
through observable and measurable evidence, they say it’s
irrelevant. Scientism is terribly limiting of human
understanding. It leaves little or no place for the insights of
the arts, philosophy, psychology, literature, mythology, dreams,
music, the emotions or spirituality. Todd has made the logical
fallacy of assuming the inverse of sci