A Critique on Positivism

I think this novel knocks the notion that science is supreme. The fact that positivism is such a commonly held belief and that it excludes all other interpretations of reality makes it somewhat a religion. Positivism informs us that the only authentic knowledge is that which is based on our experience of the world, our senses, and positive verification. It is the epistemological backdrop to the scientific method. I just came across an advertisement for an open house to visit the church of scientology in Dupont. The ad read “Scientology, the Only New Religion of the 20th Century.” I would beg to differ - the discourse of science has become a religion in that it excludes other ways of knowing, such as mysticism, and excommunicates non-believers, sentencing them to mental asylums.

My point is that looking at science as a religion reveals its human roots and subjectivity. As Chicodelabarba wrote, “Scientists, we would hope, are free from this (Schmittian Friend-Enemy dichotomy) restraint, to work for the ‘good of humanity.’ Of course, as we read, it becomes obvious that scientists are not working to enlighten mankind. Hogarth and a few of his colleagues may be, but many of the scientists are seeking to make a name for themselves in this project. Even McHill, when he sees that the TX-bomb is impossible, shows a look of disappointment. Far from having a desire for empirical knowledge, McHill seems to desire the reward following the creation of the most powerful weapon yet known. As a scientist, he fails to look beyond to the consequences of his achievement.”

McHill is certainly not purely objective and neither are many of the scientists. Despite that the scientists rid out the possibility of using the transmission for military purposes, they ultimately cannot determine why it was sent. The scientists project onto the message what they imagine or wish it to be. I like the question - should scientists be the preferred ones to attempt to decode the message? Sometimes you need a right and a left brain - maybe that is why in Stargate a typical scientist, anthropologist and two warriors go over together, they always seem to each be able to answer a piece of the puzzle, but can never figure it out entirely by themselves.