Radical Skeptisicm and Scientism

docx

School

Grand Canyon University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

103

Subject

Philosophy

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by JudgeHeat13740

1 RADICAL SCEPTICISM AND SCIENTISM 1 Austen D. Pellicano Grand Canyon University PHI-103 Dr. Steve Sherman October 2, 2022 RADICAL SKEPTICISM AND SCIENTISM REFLECTION Gabrielle C. Koc

2 RADICAL SCEPTICISM AND SCIENTISM 1 Radical Skepticism and Scientism Reflection Radical skepticism and scientism are both calculated approaches that dictate how we as individuals obtain knowledge. Scientism is a method that relies on strictly factually based or scientifically proven statements for decision making. Radical skepticism is a more spiritually based method of discernment that believes we may always come short of the answers we are looking for. Radical skepticism is a position that believes that we do not have the capacity to obtain all knowledge and wisdom. Scientism and radical skepticism are similar in a sense of asking the everyday questions of life. However, both avenues do not align with a Christian worldview because we put our faith in a higher power who is all knowing. Throughout this paper, both radical skepticism and scientism will be discussed in depth, along with the problems in those two methods of thinking, and ultimately how they correlate with the perspective of a Christian worldview. Scientism is a more of a black and white way of discerning how things occur in this world and follows a viewpoint that all knowledge must be proven or justified for a concept to be correct. Scientism has a foundation that is grounded in knowledge, not faith or religion to

3 RADICAL SCEPTICISM AND SCIENTISM 1 provide certainty on occurrences that we experience. Scientism does not align with a Christian worldview perspective because scientism bases its beliefs on factually proven evidence that has been tested, where Christians lean on their faith in their creator and seek for spiritual guidance. One example of a concept that science cannot explain, but theistic worldviews can explain, is the origin of the universe and certain fundamental laws of nature. Christians believe that God created the universe in seven days, with each day containing a significant purpose. However, scientists have only been able to theorize and speculate on how everything came together the way it is today. According to an article on Crossway, “ Scientism is at the very foundation of our secular culture, and its nature and weaknesses should be the priority in this area of church teaching… Scientism leads to the secularization of culture because it leads people to believe that no one can know anything about God, right and wrong, and so on. Thus, claims in religion and ethics can be ignored since no one can know whether those claims are reasonable or foolish .” (Moreland, 2018). Claims and beliefs regarding religion conflict directly with a Christian worldview because of the process in which they seek truth and define answers. Radical skepticism is the philosophical position that no belief can be obtained or justified for an individual because it is simply impossible to conceptualize. An example of radical skepticism is the practice of solipsism because it is the position that believes only yourself as an individual exists and everything else you experience in life is a figment of your imagination. Another example of radical skepticism would be to grab a prickly cactus, after you were told not to because you only believe yourself and your personal experiences. Some flaws in the position of radical skepticism would be the livability and sustainability of its foundational principles

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

4 RADICAL SCEPTICISM AND SCIENTISM 1 because individuals essentially live in their own perspective worldview, by their own subjective rules. This contradicts the Christian Worldview belief of monotheism, or one god, who has created and explained teachings to his followers. When an individual follows the position of radical skepticism, they are putting faith in themselves alone, instead of relying on a higher power and forming a relationship with God. In chapter two of Colossians it says, “ For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” (NIV Bible, 2011). This verse explains how Christ lives in all our hearts and acts as a guide, rather than a controlling force. When individuals only believe in themselves, in many ways they are thinking and acting like their own God who determines their future. Ultimately it would be contradictory to have beliefs in both Christianity and radical skepticism because the fundamental concepts each idea bases itself on opposes each other directly. Scientism is a viewpoint that only knowledge can be obtained through positively tested scientific hypotheses. This does not align with the Christian worldview perspective because science has not given us all the answers to life. Science has only presented educated guesses in area’s that Christianity can explain, such as the creation story. Radical Skepticism is a position that all is not true until you find out for yourself. One example of this would be touching a hot frying pan with your hand, even if your friend told you that it would hurt because you wanted to find out for yourself anyways. This does not align with the Christian worldview because Christ acts as a moral compass in decision making and only believing in yourself instead of a higher power would oppose each other.

5 RADICAL SCEPTICISM AND SCIENTISM 1 References: Bible gateway passage: Colossians 2:8-10 - new international version . Bible Gateway. (n.d.). Retrieved October 5, 2022, from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/? search=Colossians+2%3A8-10&version=NIV Moreland (PhD, J. P. (2018, September 19). 10 things you should know about scientism . Crossway. Retrieved October 5, 2022, from https://www.crossway.org/articles/10-things- you-should-know-about-scientism/ Neto José Maia, Paganini, G., & Laursen, J. C. (2014). Skepticism in the modern age building on the work of Richard Popkin . BRILL. https://ebookcentral-proquest- com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/lib/gcu/reader.action?docID=634872

Radical Skeptisicm and Scientism

Related Documents