Grognor comments on Rationality Quotes February 2012 - Less Wrong

5 [deleted] 01 February 2012 09:03PM

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Comment author: wilder 01 February 2012 09:24:48PM *  2 points [-]

Curious to know why this was downvoted. Many philosophers use 'scientism' as a term of abuse, and Luke has written about reclaiming the term here. I found this a rather pithy rallying call that antedates Rosenberg's.

Apologies if this is gratuitous but it was my first post!

Comment author: Grognor 02 February 2012 01:58:13AM 11 points [-]

The quote doesn't seem to actually say anything.

Comment author: wilder 02 February 2012 01:41:07PM *  4 points [-]

I suppose it's one of those statements that says a good deal in context and rather less outside it. 'Scientism' usually refers to a belief in the universal applicability of the tools of science in understanding the world. It is so understood by two camps, one who views it as an intellectual failing, the other a virtue. Wilson's point is that the latter camp should not cede any ground to the former -- not even terminological ground.

Edit: by context here I don't mean the book in particular. More like, reading too much contemporary philosophy.