Group Members: Delos Reyes, Princess Jean G

Group Members: Delos Reyes, Princess Jean G.
Sanama, Skyrine
Ringconada, Jovy B.
Course Code: 11658
Subject Teacher: Jenelyn Retardo
1. What is scientism?
The modern world became an age of science and technology because of the
development and discoveries that continuously exist. People tend to praise and submit
themselves in the name of science and technology. This rapid growth completely
changed the world and humanity as well. This circumstance greatly worried some
personalities including C. S. Lewis, that disclosed the dark sides of this continuous
changes.
He emphasized the term scientism. Scientism is an idea where human
disciplines and other fields were anchored in science; hence, the world and human lives
are explained through science. However, Lewis criticized scientism, for it may be
corrupted and will lead to the humans' great pursuit of science to control the world. An
example of scientism is the rising of Atheism, where people believed and praised
Charles Darwin's Evolution Theory, which opposed to the belief in God (creator). In this
case, people were driven by the scientific explanation and the theory of evolution, where
people evolve due to natural selection and survival of the fittest.
As Lewis said, “The new oligarchy must increasingly rely on the advice of
scientists till in the end the politicians become merely the scientists' puppets”. Because
of this scientism, people become materialistic and eventually reject ethics.
2. How is science comparable to magic?
Magic is something that triggers our core and lightening the excitement and
interest within ourselves. We view magic as an extra-ordinary, interesting, and powerful
thing that exist. Just like magic, science brought excitement, amazement, curiosity and
power to humanity. Comparing science to magic is quite strange, however, C. S. Lewis
takes magic and science as twins with these three reasons:
1.Science as religion- Both science and magic can function as religion—gives
sense of meaning to oneself. The world of magic—Narnia, Harry Potter, Lord of the
Rings etc.—can be a religion to some people as they acknowledge the beliefs present
in the story. In science, Atheism was strengthening due to the Revolution Theory
proposed by Charles Darwin. Because of this, people considered this product of science
as their religion. Rejecting the belief of God as the creator while affirming to the process
of natural selection and survival of the fittest.
2.Science as credulity - Magicians have the ability to control and dictate the
people through the power of their magic. In contrast, science tend to be the new God for
some people. That is why humans pursue science because it lets them control the world
and humanity. An example is a doctor who tells the patient what to do and the patient
religiously followed and believed the doctor. He considered it as the truth because it is
based on what science says.
3.Science as power- science as quest of power. Magicians wanted to be
powerful to conquer the world, and we all know that it wouldn’t work at the end of the
day. However, in the same perception, science is more dangerous because it takes all
to control and manipulate the world and the people. Science is beyond enough to
change and conquer the world as what we’re witnessing at the present. Because of the
greediness to power, people loses its moral; a threat in the future.
3. How is science more dangerous than magic?
Science in the past few years had gathered an enormous popularity. It was due
to its revolutionary features and commanding ability. It redefined the world and had
pave the way for mankind to break new frontiers. C.S. Lewis had compared science to
magic—even take the two as twins. Specifically, science: religion, credulity, and power.
However, the two, even considered as twins have unique and distinct attributes.
In fact, one is far more dangerous than the other. Primarily, magic fails, for it is a mere
deceiving act. In the end, it doesn’t possess the power to control people’s mind and
action. It only serves its purpose of entertaining and getting people to believe about its
mysteries and fantasies. It can be inferred that magic enhances nonconcrete ideologies
through experimental results. Thus, a confirmation of its non-authoritarian feature, for at
first, it was deemed to be experimental.
On the contrary, science, dreadfully could and does. Science poses a great
possibility of controlling people if scientists could find the right drive, right treatment.
They can manipulate. The perilous difference of science and magic is that science
actually works. Additionally, C.S. Lewis worried of how science can lead to the rise of
scientocracy—a society run by basing public rules on science. Also, the dogmatic use of
science that discourages skepticism, for if you do so, labelled as anti-science. Worse,
this can create to a new oligarchy of zero ethical values considered. From this, it can be
concluded that science, with its power, if handled inappropriately could lead to breaking
the laws of God.
4. What is the presented essence of modernity and its consequence?
The novel, The Hideous Strength and book, In the Abolition of Man, both written
by Lewis were depictions of the world. Wherein, he posited that the essence of
modernity is nothing is sacred. Nothing, to the extent of mankind and other breathing
species not being exempted. The consequences of this essence are portrayed in
eugenic sterilization, selective breeding, biochemical conditioning, experimentation on
both animals and criminals, and scientific planning. This essence strengthens claims of
working beyond morality like considering abortion and or genetically enhanced humans.
There are no distinctive features anymore that distinguishes humans to that of animals,
or vegetables or even minerals. In short, mankind challenges the idea of a Supreme
Being and argues that everything is explainable and comprehendible by and through
science.
5. What do we need for the sciences to be good?

Science is inertia, thus is neutral and innately good. What makes it bad, are the
handling people with greater purpose of advancing their self-interests. What we need for
sciences to be good are the following:
1. Understanding its limits.
2. Data presented by scientists should be subjected to further reviews.
3. Scientists must rescue science from scientism.
4. Application of science should respect human rights and honor human
dignity.
5. Science must remain as a single entity, away from the influence of politics
and societal issues.

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5. What do we need for the sciences to be good?

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