Scientism A New World Dream

In Scientism: A New World Dream, the author delves into the rise of left-brain dominance in Western culture and its impact on our understanding of the world. The author argues that this shift has led to a more distanced and factual approach, akin to the denatured view of science and the emergence of scientism. Through examination of cultural movements throughout history, the author suggests that this mindset has resulted in a disregard for actual fact-checking and a reliance on ideas over reality, leading to the prevalence of fake news and opinions. This book provides a thought-provoking examination of the impact of scientism on our society and raises important questions about the nature of truth and reality.

In Scientism: A New World Dream, the author delves into the rise of left-brain dominance in Western culture and its impact on our understanding of the world. The author argues that this shift has led to a more distanced and factual approach, akin to the denatured view of science and the emergence of scientism. Through examination of cultural movements throughout history, the author suggests that this mindset has resulted in a disregard for actual fact-checking and a reliance on ideas over reality, leading to the prevalence of fake news and opinions. This book provides a thought-provoking examination of the impact of scientism on our society and raises important questions about the nature of truth and reality.

...the chapters are lucidly composed, and consequently pleasant to read...The introduction by the editors is very fine indeed...I find something compellingly interesting everywhere in the text. The combination of theory, conception and fact is quite gracefully handled. No heavy-footed jargon here. Sheldon Rothblatt, University of California, Berkeley Within the growing attention to the diverse forms and trajectories of modern societies, the Nordic countries are now widely seen as a distinctive and instructive case. While discussions have centred on the 'Nordic model' of the welfare state and its record of adaptation to the changing global environment of the late twentieth century, this volume's focus goes beyond these themes. The guiding principle here is that a long-term historical-sociological perspective is needed to make sense of the Nordic paths to modernity; of their significant but not complete convergence in patterns, which for some time were perceived as aspects of a model to be emulated in other settings; and of the specific features that still set the five countries in question (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland) apart from one another. The contributors explore transformative processes, above all the change from an absolutist military state to a democratic one with its welfarist phase, as well as the crucial experiences that will have significant implications on future developments. Jóhann Páll Árnason is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at La Trobe University, Melbourne, and Visiting Professor at Charles University, Prague. His research interests focus on comparative historical sociology, with particular emphasis on the comparative sociology of civilizations. Recent publications include: Civilizations in Dispute: Historical Questions and Theoretical Traditions (Brill 2003); Axial Civilizations and World History (co-editor, Brill 2005); and The Roman Empire in Context: Historical and Comparative Perspectives (co-editor, Blackwell 2010). Björn Wittrock is Principal of the Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study (SCAS), Uppsala, and University Professor at Uppsala University. He has published extensively, currently eighteen books, in the fields of intellectual history, historical social science, social theory and civilizational analysis. Recent publications include: Frontiers of Sociology (co-editor, Brill 2009) and Eurasian Transformations, Tenth to Thirteenth Centuries: Crystallizations, Divergences, Renaissances (co-editor, Brill 2004).

Uses popular and lesser-known paintings to show modern art's reflection of a dying culture and how Christian attitudes can create hope in today's society.

A noted scientist in biotechnology and biosafety reveals the terrifying consequences of genetic engineering.

This volume claims that genetic engineering is inadequately researched technology that is out of control. It aims to show how genetic determinism is at odds with the reality of scientific findings.

For science to remain a legitimate and trustworthy source of knowledge, society will have to engage in the collective processes of knowledge co-production, which not only includes science, but also other types of knowledge. This process of change has to include a new commitment to knowledge creation and transmission and its role in a plural society. This book proposes to consider new ways in which science can be used to sustain our planet and enrich our lives. It helps to release and reactivate social responsibility within contemporary science and technology. It reviews critically relevant cases of contemporary scientific practice within the Cartesian paradigm, relabelled as 'innovation research', promoted as essential for the progress and well-being of humanity, and characterised by high capital investment, centralised control of funding and quality, exclusive expertise, and a reductionism that is philosophical as well as methodological. This is an accessible and relevant book for scholars in Science and Technology Studies, History and Philosophy of Science, and Science, Engineering and Technology Ethics. Providing an array of concrete examples, it supports scientists, engineers and technical experts, as well as policy-makers and other non-technical professionals working with science and technology to re-direct their approach to global problems, in a more integrative, self-reflective and humble direction.

This book studies the treatment of science and technology from ancient myths to current works, demonstrating the importance of science to human civilization as evidenced in literature. Works studied include the Bible, Greek mythology, tales from the Middle Ages (including those about the Golem and Dr. Faustus), Gulliver's Travels, Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and works by Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, George Orwell, Bertrand Russell, and Aldous Huxley, among others.