CHERIE MAE B FUENTES

SECTION 2 p.81

Human Flourishing in Progress and De-development

Assignment 6 Documentary Film Analysis

Instructions: Watch and take notes on the documentary film: The Magician’s Twin: C.S Lewis and the
Case Against Scientism, available on YouTube (https//www.you tube.com/?=FPeyJvXU68k). Then answer
the following questions.

1. Why was C.S Lewis very much a skeptic and critique of scientism? Was he against science?

C.S Lewis was not really against science but he was against the idea of scientism,
because it claims that it is the only accurate source of information and knowledge in all fields
and also he sees scientism as bad, corrupted and dangerous. C.S Lewis is very against the idea
of science being idolized, because it abuses the purpose of science and the scientists

2. How did C. S Lewis explain the following:

2.1 science as religion

Science can be used as a religion for people who do not believe in God. Science
can also substitute for a religion because it gives a view of point and reason in life.

2.2 science as credulity

-According to C. S. Lewis, is their encouragement of a lack of skepticism? This may

seem paradoxical to many people however, science Skeptics or dissenting views, for example,
are ridiculed as “global warming deniers,” “flat-Earthers” and are routinely denied tenure as
professors. Lewis pointed out that in the modern world, people will believe almost anything
if it’s dressed up in the name of science

2.3 science as power

C.S Lewis sees that science may be comparable to magic but something makes
science scarier. This is the fact that science can take control over the world. Science is also
attempting to create a new age in which science will be viewed as “science utopia (savior)”
 3. Why did C.S Lewis think that modern science is far more dangerous than magic?

C.S Lewis thinks that modern science is more dangerous than magic because
science is a reality while magic is not . C.S Lewis also thinks that science can be used as a
medium to take over and control the world.

4. Why did C.S Lewis become increasingly concerned about the rise of scientocracy? How does it
relate to scientism?

C.S. Lewis strongly disagrees with scientism because it will eventually give rise to
scientocracy. He was concerned and disturbed by this concept because in scientocracy, unless
you are a journalist, statistician, or statistician who accepts scientific knowledge, then your
thought and opinion does not matter. Government policies and laws are dictated by
scientism and as a result, human rights might be compromised and violated because of
unethical judgements of the people above the social chain.Finally, scientocracy fades away
the essence of human life and its true purpose, thus making us blind to the reality we must
achieve which is happiness.

5. Based on what you learned in the documentary film, how does scientism pose a threat to the
human person flourishing in science and technology? Why should science be guided by an
ethical basis that is not dictated by science itself?

The documentary film of the Magician Twin presents that scientists can
potentially threaten a human person that flourishes on science and technology. C.S Lewis
compares that science is more dangerous than magic, because magic does not exist while
science does. For me, why scientism is dangerous to humankind , because it quests Power ,
poison our mind and blind our eyes to the essence of life. Ethical Rule is important with
science , in order to use scientific investigation at its best because it will guide us to what is
right and wrong. And also to respect human rights and preserve human life.