The Cunning of Geist 031 - Scientism vs. Hegelianism: Which World-View is Correct?
The Scientific Revolution brought tremendous benefit to humanity. But when the scientific method becomes more than a defined procedure of rational inquiry and prediction, and morphs into an ideology with its own set of dogmas, problems can appear. And this is precisely what has happened in today’s world.
Scientism is the name given to this world-view. It holds that nature is wholly material and mechanical, with no purpose - and that life itself is a mistake that occurred when a RNA molecule accidentally mutated and was able to replicate itself.
Where is mind in this world-view? Where is purpose? Hegel’s philosophy presents an entirely different vision - that mind, freedom, and purpose are central to the Cosmos.
Interestingly, several 20th century scientific pioneers agreed with Hegel on this. This episode explores.