Scientism rears its ugly head again:
Scientism is the philosophical worldview that states only the methods of modern science can give us real knowledge. This is clear from the meme: science is the only one that gives us knowledge that the black cat is in the dark room. Philosophy, metaphysics, and theology either can’t get us very far or lead to falsehood.
But here’s an interesting question: if science alone gives us the tools (e.g., the flashlight) to know something real, then which tool did this person use to know that about science? Surely, he couldn’t have used the “flashlight” of science to shed light on the truth that science alone gives us knowledge of the real, because that statement is a philosophical claim. The methods of modern science can’t produce the truth value of philosophical statements.
So, the person making this claim is in a dilemma. He must either a) acknowledge that at least philosophy (or metaphysics) has a tool (a “flashlight) to know reality, since he used philosophy to make the claim that science alone gives us knowledge; or b) affirm that science cannot produce the truth value of the claim that science alone gives us knowledge—that’s to say, science doesn’t have a “flashlight” to find this black cat. Neither one is favorable for the person who posted this meme.
Concerning the claim about theology, it’s a bit bold to claim that alltheological claims within all religions are false. Justifying such a claim is quite the project, a project that I doubt this person has undertaken. Obviously, I disagree with this claim. But this is not the place to justify my disagreement.
***This article was originally published as a Catholic Answers Indulgence, November 22, 2023.