Ethos of Scientism and Postmodernism

Since the periods of industrial revolution date, human society has thrived immensely from the fruits of modern science. Scientific knowledge has allowed for engineering prowess that supports development of technological skills that have enabled man to be more adaptable to different environment thereby making living better and easier (Reis, 2014). However, the catastrophic possibilities of reliance on purely scientific thought such as during the Cold War where nuclear holocaust clouded the posterity of living things precipitated the rise of postmodernism.

Postmodernism has developed largely unabated in recent years continually to not only undermine scientific truths but also disagreeing with the scientific world view. A large quota of scientist have unfortunately taken the back seat and ignored this disturbing trend (Reis, 2014). This being the Age of Information, all of humanity is presented with the unique disposition to peruse through available scientific literature. Through the numerous volumes of scientific material produced to date, it is clear that scientific method remains a truthful guiding principle that investigates scientific phenomenon. It is not only governed by undeniable physical laws that existed prior to human understanding of the intricate working of the environment but are presently verifiable in the objective reality around us. Communication and transportations miracles, disease control, unprecedented wealth creation, space travel and even personal empowerment are the fruits of scientific thought.

Political connotations abound in postmodernism view of which science does not play any discernable role. The scientific community simple employs the knowledge gained over centuries towards ensuring that human society has the right to an objective reality. By determining what is true and that which is false, scientism has propelled mankind into a path of progressive social economic prosperity. It is therefore retrogressive to allow postmodernism to treat false and true scientific discourses equally as this undermines the very basis of the progress man has made so far.

Reference

Reis, C. S. (2014). Science legitimacy and the postmodern condition of knowledge. Science, 11(1).