Gia.Kahoohanohao_Radical Skepticism and Scientism
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Apr 3, 2024
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Radical Skepticism and Scientism Essay:
Gia Kaho’ohanohano
Grand Canyon University
PHI-103: Introduction to Philosophy and Ethics Gary Osmundsen
February 8, 2024
1
Introduction
:
Radical skepticism, also known as external-world skepticism, and scientism represent two distinct philosophical positions that have significant implications for our understanding of knowledge and the world. This essay will delve into the nature of radical skepticism and scientism, exploring their implications and addressing why these views appear incompatible with
the Christian worldview. Radical Skepticism
: Radical skepticism raises doubts about our ability to truly understand anything about the world around us. It suggests that our knowledge is limited because of how we perceive things and the possibility that we might be deceived. This skepticism doesn't just affect our grasp of the external world; it has far-reaching consequences for our views on God, ourselves, others, and the
world. When viewed through a skeptical lens, statements about these aspects of life become uncertain, shaking the very foundations of what we think we know. However, when we bring the Christian worldview into the picture, things get complicated. Christianity holds certain truths about God, ourselves, and the world, rooted in revelation and faith. The skeptical view that denies the possibility of secure knowledge clashes with these core Christian beliefs. This clash creates a tension between the skeptical perspective and the way Christians understand knowledge
and belief. Scientism:
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Scientism is a belief that puts all its trust in scientific methods as the only dependable way to gain knowledge. It claims that scientific investigation is the exclusive path to comprehend not just the natural world but also broader aspects of life like God, self, others, and the world. Scientism strongly believes in using empirical evidence and the scientific method, sometimes sidelining other ways of knowing. However, despite its focus on concrete evidence, scientism clashes with the Christian worldview. Christianity often leans on faith and revelation to understand God and spiritual truths. The narrow focus on observable evidence overlooks the spiritual dimensions of Christian beliefs, causing a significant mismatch between
scientism and the Christian view of the world. (
Stenmark, M. 1997)
Conclusion:
To conclude, radical skepticism and scientism pose conflicting challenges to the Christian perspective. Radical skepticism questions how certain our knowledge is, which clashes with the core beliefs of Christianity. On the other hand, scientism, by relying solely on scientific evidence, tends to ignore other ways of understanding essential to Christian faith. The clash between these philosophical ideas and the Christian worldview underscores the intricate relationship between how we know things and what we believe. It calls for a careful examination of how these perspectives can coexist or be at odds with each other. 3
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References
Academic Source: Stenmark, M. (1997). What Is Scientism?
Religious Studies
,
33
(1), 15–32. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20008069
Course Source:
Notes on Scientism and External World Skepticism
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