ORDONEZ, AIRAH YNA R.

BSN-2A

The Magician's Twin: C.S. Lewis and the Case against Scientism:
Reflecting on its Connection to Human Flourishing

Science is a general body of knowledge that is the source of all human knowledge and ideas. It is an
accumulation of every single concept either proven or not about the nature of things may it be human or
cosmic. It is both a definite body and a mysterious enigma presented as an answer to any question about
the nature of life and anything within it. Through science, we are able to do the things that we do now.
Technology, through Science, makes our everyday life easier and more manageable. Processes become
more automated with little to no maintenance by humans.

Everything is basically founded through Science. However, the belief that Science and all its
concepts are the only plausible reasons for things as well as the only acceptable way that people should
live and act by for which people would depend their values upon is definitely incorrect. This is the belief
system, Scientism. This view emphasizes the intense belief that scientific knowledge and its practical
forms are correct and unquestionable. It also puts Science at a pedestal where it, in essence, is powerful.
Having been related to religion, credulity, , and power, science was compared to magic due to their
similar properties. Magic is a mysterious and unknown phenomena that exists in fantasy stories and the
supernatural. It is some sort of unexplained event which creates fantastical products of usually ephemeral
effects. It is its mysteriousness and enthralling nature that people get drawn to it, just like uneducated
people to science. Science as a religion is derived from the fact that some people make it a point that
knowing and studying science and its principles equal his or her life. Science is compared to magic as a
religion through the concept of a higher power. The enigma that they are and their relatively fascinating
displays entices people into looking up to them and giving them the benefit of the doubt despite not
entirely knowing the origin and principles. Ironically, they do pose quite the resemblance. On the other
hand, science is also credulity. Just like magic, most of science is complicated and almost unknown for
the general public. They are then posed as if magic and science is too difficult to understand therefore it is
just easier to believe that they are what they say they are and understand that they do what they do. Again,
people are just prompted to give them the benefit of the doubt because of the uncertainty that they hold.
Lastly, science is said to be some sort of power if not “THE” power. In the world of fantasy, anyone who
can wield magic and is capable of controlling nature is considered great and “all-knowing” as well as
powerful. This also describes science and scientists. Those who know science and its ins and outs hold a
great deal of power. It is this power that people fear it even if they do not know what it is, and therefore,
they submit to it. Science is truly a big deal for it enlightens people on concepts that were once unsolvable
problems. And, by merely being able to understand them, one is praised.

It was stated that the core of modernity is that “nothing is sacrosanct”, or, nothing is too important to
not be meddled, inspected, and criticized. The human person is also brought about by it. We are molded
by the contemporary. As we adjust to the ways of the present, we blend into the society and live out our
ways with due obedience towards the laws, not only of the society, but also of nature. In modernity,
everything is of equal footing. All that exists are merely subjects made for the pursuit of science. Also, in
modernity, it emphasizes the importance of scientific values as opposed to the religious.

The human person isn’t always a rational being. Sometimes ignorance can be a great thing and
sometimes, it isn’t. Science is a never-ending pool of knowledge. It is, in itself, a universe of information.
Its vastness and scope is not so easily grasped by the human mind. Actually, it is impossible to do so. It is
ignorance to the facts which pose a threat to the human person. One can be manipulated in all sorts of
ways while they have absolutely no clue. These situations are what society is trying to prevent. The
unbounded nature of science pose a great hazard and danger to the society and the world. Binding science
to the moral values of the society and limiting what it can come up with and act on essentially protects
everyone in its scope. Science should strictly adhere to the moral rules of society itself to ensure that
nothing gets harmed.