Science Almighty

[chaichilaquiles]

Just an interesting article on something I have been thinking about recently. I definately respect science- as I respect religion and while both have good intentions once you add the human element they both can be abused. "Science says..." or "studies show..." might be someday the "Almighty Science". But I hope to write more on the idea later. For

Comments

[cknk]

I don't get the connection that article made between science and technology. Certainly I don't know or understand the science behind how my car drives, but I can still drive my car. Knowledge of a technology is not necessary for its use.

But then that doesn't seem to be the connection he's making. He seems to be saying not that they can't use the technology but that they shouldn't, morally, because somehow they are unworthy of it for not agreeing with the science behind it. That's crazy.

There are lots of people now who do seem to be rejecting science, including useful technologies. A lot of people into "natural birth" reject a lot of science. Then there's all those things like microwaves, cell phones, wireless internet or even windmills where lots of people are sure they must be causing all sorts of damage and the science in inconclusive so people want to error on the side of safety. And I never know what to think of those.

[chaichilaquiles]

Right, that science isn't a "buffet" from which you can pick and choose.... which I find hilarious because I heard that VERY SAME ARGUMENT made in strict religious circles... where you have to swallow what you like with what you don't like or else you are not Christian/Muslim/etc.
It definately has the "if you are not with us you are against us" vibe.
I think we have come a long way science wise, but we have a long way to go--- science is limited by our own minds- there is so much out there that we don't understand, we don't comprehend, we don't have the tools even to discover- scientifically or biologically to uncover hidden things.
And beyond that... I feel like religion/spirituality in its unadulturated form really has something that we as human beings need--- I think that science and religion can live in complete and utter harmony. I think they are both necessary.

[hashishinahooka]

Yeah, I think with science, it's best to wait until a theory has been tested over and over until there is conclusive evidence. Studies contradict each other because of human error, but a lot of people will jump on board right away. I do it too. Then another study comes along and debunks the previous one.

I think it's important for people to make educated decisions about what to pick and choose in science. There are certain things that, imo, can't be denied. Stuff we haven't completely figured out yet? Still up for debate.

[hashishinahooka]

I don't think of "natural birth" movements as rejecting science. They are more questioning procedure. There are procedures at hospitals that some women don't find helpful, and some find downright harmful.

[cknk]

I should have said part of the natural birth movement is rejecting science. Some are doing as you said, questioning procedure.

But some are rejecting science. Some say that no woman should be "high risked out" of a homebirth. Some say that we have to trust the baby completely to decide when it should come out and it doesn't matter if the baby is in for 42 or 43 weeks (despite evidence of higher risk of stillbirth). Some say that you should never trust your doctor, any and all deviations to the normal labor are "what your body must need" (and if the baby dies, well, "the baby was meant to die"). Some say you should rely on unproven treatment for GBS instead of tested antibiotics.

Some people just don't want unnecessary treatments, that's fine. But some people are determined to reject all treatments as unnecessary becuase it goes against their belief that "birth is safe" or that women need to "trust their bodies." When people start doing that, they're rejecting science.

[hashishinahooka]

Oh, I understand what you mean now. To me, it's similar to people who won't take their children to get medical treatment because they think they can pray the illness away. I feel bad for them because they think they're doing right, but I feel like shaking some sense into them.