Scientism Issue
by Dr Jeffrey Abu Hassan

The call by Lacrema to choose either religion or science ( “Islam vs science :choose your side please” ; 10 Nov 2005 ) is as absurd as it is childish.

It reflects a lack of understanding of the philosophical foundations of modern science ( see our previous letter “science nothing more than a systematic study of the material world” ).

It typifies the naiveté of those – often with little or no scientific background – who are mesmerised by the achievements of modern science which are undoubtedly remarkable and beneficial to mankind.

Scientism embraces a positivist materialist vision of reality that denies a Transcendent reality and the cult of the self-sufficiency of man.

However, with the discrediting of modernism’s grand narratives of which includes scientism, there is today a sober evaluation on the limitations of modern science, a questioning of its epistemological premises and a concern over technology unrestrained by ethics and spirituality such that the unsustainability of the planet is a real, grave possibility.

Not that religion must dictate science, but the principle of the non-overlapping magisterium between the two is an out-dated dictum. Asking one to choose between science and religion reflects the silly arrogance of latter-day dogmatists of scientism, not science.

Dr Jeffrey Abu Hassan
Founding member
Muslim Professionals Forum
Suite 1810, 18th Floor, Plaza Permata (IGB Plaza)
Jalan Kampar, off Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 03-40426102
Website : http://mpf.org.my