Myth Of Science Research Articles

Simone Weil and the dangerous Myths of Science and Technology


 In this article I aim to clarify the role of science and technology in Weil's account of the formation and maintenance of the bureaucratic state as a totalitarian form of State, which allows to identify the similarities between capitalist, fascist and communist regimes. In the first section I characterize Weil's conception of modernity. Having The Need for Roots as my main reference, first, I reconstruct Weil's conceptualization of human nature, after I explore the meanings and signs of uprootedness and Weil's critique of Marxism. In the second section, I analyze the relationship between Revolution, Totalitarianism and the invention of the bureaucratic State. I retake Weil's critique of Marx and the Marxists arguing that science and technology must be subjected to a new criticism today, for they have been reduced to mere means of a totalitarian logic, which ultimately reinforces social oppression. I conclude by rescuing Weil's defense of the fundamental value of individual freedom and of thought, for our humanity lies in it.

A Semiotic Paradox: Scientific Language in the Narrative of TV Advertisement-

The narrative we find in TV advertisement especially abounds in scientific terms that the viewers hardly understand. The apparently ‘scientific’ language induces them to believe in the modern myth of science as absolute truth, which inevitably produces alienation from reality. The more such language triumphs, the more alienation they suffer without knowing it. Such is our situation today that reminds us of the time of Nazi in which alienating language was dominant. However, whether the use of scientific language on TV advertisement becomes alienating or not depends on the socio-cultural context of the viewers. For example, in Japan where the tradition gives more power and space to the ‘signifiant’ than the ‘signifié’, scientific terms used in advertisement are not necessarily meant to indicate ‘truth’ but just play the role of fascinating signifiants that stimulate the viewers’ dream of paradise, of a wonderland. Those viewers momentarily impersonate ‘the modern Westerners’, enjoying the participation in a collective dream which gives them much pleasure. If they purchase the advertised product, it is not because they believe its effect is scientifically proved but because it invites them to share the collective dream stimulated by the advertisement. One may say it is a semiotic paradox for the ununderstandable makes sense in their mind.

Миф науки - границы архетипов

Миф науки - границы архетипов

Миф науки и техногенная цивилизация

Миф науки и техногенная цивилизация

Conceptualizing Scientific Progress Needs a New Humanism

ABSTRACT The paper focuses on the controversial nature of progress in science and society. In the philosophy of science and technology, one usually views scientific progress in terms of theoretical and empirical success of a theory or research program. This view of progress leads to a paradox (novelty versus truth) and a gap between science and society (‘bold guesses’ versus ‘small steps’). Further, it assigns a special epistemological status to science as a condition of progress, which is built on the idea of objectivity. In contrast, this paper proposes a value-focused interpretation of scientific progress, shifting the focus to the circumstances from which scientific knowledge emerges as a social institution and a part of culture. It presents progress as science’s ability to create a new picture of the world, new ways of communication, and new patterns of social order. This understanding of progress is strongly connected to epistemic agency, rooted in the ambivalent temporal nature of the agent who inherits conditions and abilities from the past, uses and develops them in the present though being aimed at constructing the future. The future epitomized in the myth of science proves a humanistic utopia is the integral idea of progress.

Old Dreams Retold

Abstract As a champion of May Fourth enlightenment and a critic of Chinese tradition, Lu Xun is less understood as a prescient critic of the myth of science and technological rationality. Walter Benjamin invoked the utopian reconciliation of humans and nature from premodern culture in critiques of modernity. Similarly, Lu Xun conjured up images of the ancient world where rural folks lived in reciprocity with nature, worshiped supernatural beings, and observed time-honored rituals. Lu Xun linked the myth of progress and technology to a destructive chorus of “malevolent voices” by a hypocritical gentry, a technocratic elite that sought power, status, and profit in the name of enlightenment and rationality. He proclaimed that it is urgent to “rid of ourselves of this hypocrite gentry; ‘superstition’ may remain.” Invoking Benjamin's insight and affinity with Lu Xun, this article explores the Chinese writer's recovery of the mythical and ecological images from the past in the critique of modernity. Confronted with the fetishism of progress and technology in China's early modernization, Lu Xun sought to uncover and redeem primordial images from archaic traditions.

Informal Effect of The Biographical Film on The Views of Prospective Science Teachers on Nature of Science

In this study, the effects of a documentary and a biographical film, which was watched in an informal environment, on the prospective science teachers’ nature of science (NOS) views were examined. The study conducted according to the mixed research methodology. The data were obtained through the open-ended questionnaire prepared by considering the consensus aspects of the NOS. The participants were shown a documentary-style biographical film about a cross-section of the life of a famous scientist. The findings show that there are changes in the participants' views on some of the consensus aspects of the nature of science. Some of these were in the desired direction, but the retention was weak. Also, some of the changes are in an undesirable direction such as to create a science myth. According to the results, it can be thought that films adapted from the history of science can be used to teach the nature of science. Since films produced for different purposes such as art and entertainment may cause problems in teaching the nature of science, it can be suggested to use such films in a more structured learning environment.

Myths in science: Children trust but do not retain their teacher's information

Recent years have seen an unprecedented interest in the way children learn from the testimony of others, yet little research has been conducted on the role of the teacher as a source of information. In the current study, we presented a sample of 63 children aged 9–10 and 11–12 with incorrect scientific ideas (myths), to determine whether they accepted the correct scientific facts provided by their actual science teachers. This information was presented as a coherent and accessible narrative containing an explanation of the origins of the myth, and scientific facts that debunked the myth. Participants were also evaluated four weeks later to see whether they had retained the correct information. Results showed that most children accepted the information provided by their teachers immediately after receiving it. However, a month later, children from both age groups were prone to return to their prior inaccurate ideas.

The science myths that will not die

False beliefs and wishful thinking about the human experience are common. They are hurting people — and holding back science.

GALILEO STILL GOES TO JAIL: CONFLICT MODEL PERSISTENCE WITHIN INTRODUCTORY ANTHROPOLOGY MATERIALS

AbstractHistorians have long since rejected the dubious assertions of the conflict model, with its narratives of perennial religion versus science combat. Nonetheless, this theory persists in various academic disciplines, and it is still presented to university students as the authoritative historical account of religion–science interactions. Cases of this can be identified within modern anthropology textbooks and reference materials, which often recapitulate claims once made by John W. Draper and Andrew D. White. This article examines 21st‐century introductory anthropology publications, demonstrating how such works perpetuate religion–science myths and the notion that history has been replete with inevitable religion versus science warfare. In particular, this study reveals how such introductory materials propagate discord narratives associated with the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment. Affiliated with these anecdotes are oversimplified accounts of religious responses to heliocentrism and evolutionary theory, as well as claims that science has invariably led to the usurpation of religious belief and secularization from Galileo onwards.

A science faculty's transformation of nature of science understanding into his teaching graduate level chemistry course

This is an interpretive case study to examine the teaching of an experienced science faculty who had a strong interest in teaching undergraduate and graduate science courses and nature of science specifically. It was interested in how he transformed knowledge from his experience as a scientist and his ideas about nature of science into forms accessible to his students. Data included observations (through the 12-week semester) and field notes, Views of Nature of Science-Form B, as well as semi-structured interview. Deductive analysis based on existing codes and categories was applied. Results revealed that robust SMK and interest in nature of science helped him address the different nature of science aspects, and produce original content-embedded examples for teaching nature of science. Although he was able to include nature of science as a part of a graduate course and to address nature of science myths that graduate students had, nature of science assessment was missing in his teaching. When subject matter knowledge and nature of science understanding support each other, it may be a key element in successful nature of science learning and teaching. Similar to science teachers, the development of assessment of nature of science may take more time than the development of other components of instruction (i.e., instructional strategy) for science faculties. Hence, this result may be an indication of the specific need for support to develop this component of teaching.

Kääntämisen ja käännöstieteen myyttinen ulottuvuus

In this article, translation is approached as a reflection of translational, translatorial, and translation-theoretical myths in their different manifestations with varying truth value. Drawing on insights from the philosophy of science and semiotics, the mythical aspect of translating and translations is first discussed with respect to the role of myths in science and research and to the nature of translation-theoretical knowledge. The author then focuses on the following questions: is translating a case of action that conveys the general or the particular; is “myth” a type of speech even in Translation Studies and a building block in the cosmology of translation; what is the status of dichotomies in translating and translation strategies, in translation studies, and in the work of translation theorists; and finally, what makes a translation-theoretical myth a living myth.

Constructing sustainability in EU fisheries: Re-drawing the boundary between science and politics?

This article critically assesses attempts by fishers to re-draw the science–politics boundary in European Union (EU) fisheries. Using concepts from interpretivism and constructivist institutionalism, I do this by tracing actor mobilisations to simultaneously contest the knowledge base of EU public instruments on the one hand and self-represent as holders of alternate knowledge on the other. In the subsequent re-adaptation of meanings of governing and production practices, fishers, scientists and managers alike appeared reflexive. They showed awareness of the politicisation of scientific advice, vocalised uncertainty over knowledge of fish stocks and appeared accepting of new types of everyday knowledge to assess fishing impacts. Significantly, therefore actor mobilisations appeared to be challenging the belief of a science separate from politics and which had caused failure in managing fisheries sustainably. Yet, although these mobilisations look like challenges to the narrative of the linear model of expertise, my research suggests that it is not at all clear that these actors have indeed abandoned this narrative. Rather, my findings reveal contradictory behaviour whereby actors show their awareness of politicisation of knowledge and scientification of politics, whilst simultaneously striving to keep science separate from politics. This case thus ultimately reveals the pervasive appeal of the myth of science as separate for politics and its political consequences for environmental protection policies.

Why sustainable tourism must address climate change

This opinion piece examines Weaver's thesis that sustainable tourism's current expanding engagement with climate change may not necessarily be conducive to the interests of tourism sustainability. It critically examines and responds to the seven interrelated issues presented by Weaver to support that opinion. This paper dispels some common climate science myths that continue to hamper scientific progress and obfuscate debate over climate change policy responses and specifically refutes recent claims of compromised and inaccurate research findings. It is argued that climate change studies reveal a deficiency in past conceptualizations of sustainable tourism that focused almost exclusively on destination scale issues and highlight the need to properly account for the environmental and social impacts of tourism's travel phase. Addressing climate change is considered a prerequisite to sustainable development and therefore germane to advancing sustainable tourism research. Tourism is currently considered among the economic sectors least prepared for the risks and opportunities posed by climate change and is only now developing the capacity to advance knowledge necessary to inform business, communities and government about the issues and potential ways forward. Any retreat from engagement with climate change issues by the tourism industry or its researchers would be to their substantial detriment.

Contemporary myth and its aesthetic consciousness

现代社会的实用理性和科技发展共同终结了古典神话，将之送入精神文化的历 史博物馆。然而，神话思维和神话意识则共时性地隐匿于人们的心理结构之中，对 文明和文化依然施加了重要影响。在现代和后现代的历史文化语境中，神话以变形 的方式潜藏于人类的精神文化活动里，演变为一种当代意义的神话形式，继续发挥 着强大的心理功能和扮演着意识活动与形态助产士的角色。当代神话的典型表现是 科技神话、消费神话、英雄神话等样式。它承袭了传统神话的符号和结构形式而又 有所发展和变异，尤其是借助于科技手段,它获得了更广泛、更丰富的社会内容和迅 捷密集的传播方式，对于社会的方方面面都产生了广泛而深刻的影响。 关键词: 当代神话 审美意识 科技神话 消费神话 英雄神话 Pragmatic rationality and scientific and technological developments in modern society have jointly put an end to classical myth and consigned it to the historical museum of the spiritual culture. However, mythical thinking and consciousness are synchronically hidden in our psychological structures and still exert an important influence on civilizations and cultures. In the modern and postmodern historical and cultural context, myth hides in our spiritual and cultural activities in various altered forms. Having evolved into a mythic form in the contemporary sense, it continues to play a powerful psychological role and to act as a midwife of conscious activities and forms. Contemporary myth typically comprises science myth, consumption myth and hero myth. It has inherited the symbols and structures of traditional myth, but with some developments and variations; in particular, by means of science and technology, it has acquired broader and richer social ingredients and swift and intensive modes of transmission, producing a widespread and far‐reaching influence on various aspects of society.

Istvan Csicsery-Ronay Jr.'s The Seven Beauties of Science Fiction

SCIENCE FICTION Istvan Csicsery-Ronay Jr.'s The Seven Beauties of Science Fiction Paul Kincoid The commonly accepted academic definition of science fictionwas formulated byDarko Suvin in the 1970s, but now there isa much needed revision ofhis ideas.Butdoes it go farenough? Istvan Csicsery-Ronay Jr.The Seven Beauties of Science Fiction. Middletown, Conn. Wesleyan University Press. 2008. 336 pages. $35. isbn 978-0-8195-6889-2 t: [ his isprobably one of thebest andmost sig nificantworks of science-fictioncriticismto have appeared so far this century.This is not to say that Istvan Csicsery-Ronay Jr. is always right and that I always agree with him: he isn't and I don't. But my disagreements aremostly in the way of thecontinuingdialogue thathe calls for. What makes this book significant is that it marks a necessary, if belated, corrective to the orthodoxMarxist view of science fiction thathas been themore or less default academic response to the genre since at least thework ofDarko Suvin. As such,The SevenBeauties ofScienceFiction is likely to become the central text of SF criticism for some time to come. It is easy tounderstand why science fictionin particular has an appeal toMarxist theorists. The Western myth of science, ever since the days of Francis Bacon, has been that science represents an inevitable advance toward truth and material well being. This makes ita very good fit with Marxist ideas ofhistorical inevitability. And as a proponent of, and channel for, much of that Western myth of science, science fictionseems to match very closely the ideals for how fiction should work. What makes me uneasy about theMarxist approach is the weight itplaces on thescience inscience fiction. Let's face it, science fiction bears as much relation to the scientificas realist fictiondoes to the real. They are at best approximations, at worst gross distortions ofwhat is there, more as an aspiration forthefictionthanas itsdefining characteristic. What's more, wherever we place the origins of thegenre, itshistory has been one of constant change. The literaturehas rarely stayed close to its scientificguidelines, and has oftenwandered off intovery different territory. The view of science fiction espoused by Suvin was vital in provid ing academic authority for the study of science fiction, but the strictures were quite narrow and rigid and bear but a passing relationship to the ever-changing shape of science fiction today. Hence the need for this relaxation of Suvin's views; the only question is whether Csicsery Ronay has gone far enough. At the core of Suvin's characterization of science fiction is thenotion of cognitive estrange ment, adapted from theRussian formalists, and the idea of the novum, adapted from thework of theMarxist philosopher Ernst Bloch. Csicsery Ronay retains the notion of cognitive estrange ment but downplays its significance as a defining characteristic of science fiction. I remain skep tical about cognitive estrangement on several fronts.Estrangement is that literaryeffect which makes us stop and see things afresh; the cogni tive element applies this freshness both to the exercise of our imagination and the product of that imagination. I am not clear that all forms of literaryestrangement are not in some degree cognitive. This in turn leads to furtherconcerns: I am unconvinced thatcognitive estrangement as such applies toeverythingwe would characterize as science fiction,or that itapplies exclusively to what we term science fiction. Indeed, too rigid an application of Suvin's ideas has, as Csicsery Ronay notes inpassing, prompted some academ ics to exclude from the genre works thatmost people uncontentiously identifyas science fiction. Even more problematic is the fact that unques 441World Literature Today tioned classics of science fiction that employ scientific ideaswhich have since been superseded might suddenly find themselves ejected from the genre. A definition of genre that identifies a novel as science fictionone day and thevery next day, due to extraliterary developments such as a chance scientific discovery, is equally insistent that it isnot science fiction,seems tome to serve no criticallyuseful purpose. Although he does not dispense with cog nitive estrangement, Csicsery-Ronay softens its more rigorous aspects. In part he does this by employing Carl Freedman's idea of the "cogni tion effect/' theway inwhich scientific language can be employed to give a consistent illusion of scientific...

Myths of Science: How Children know about Science in Inquiry Projects

Myths of Science: How Children know about Science in Inquiry Projects

Murky Waters

Historians of science in modern China have tried to challenge misconceptions that late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Chinese were slow to master science or, worse, that they missed the point of science altogether. In so doing, we have often put aside basic questions-like why Chinese were interested in modern science in the first place or how they found modern science useful for their own purposes-in order to demonstrate the quality and advancement of scientific work in China. But overlooking these underlying issues not only strengthens the myth of science as an obvious and inevitable step in development; it also limits the relevance of the Chinese case to the history of science more broadly. If, instead, the spread of science is reconceptualized as a problem of desire and utility, the Chinese example may suggest interesting new avenues for the study of cultural innovation across geographic and disciplinary frameworks.

“I Wish that I Belonged More in this Whole Engineering Group:” Achieving Individual Diversity

AbstractEngineers need a breadth of experience to enrich the gene pool of ideas from which elegant engineering solutions can be drawn, called “individual diversity.” While performing large ethnographic research studies where hundreds of engineering students were interviewed, we interviewed Inez, a student that epitomizes individual diversity. Inez is unlike most engineers: she is female, multi‐minority, and from a socio‐economically disadvantaged background. Inez's story is told here using “ethnography of the particular,” where the story of a single individual is explored. Inez has persevered through challenges posed by her lack of familiarity with the culture of engineering, her weak high school preparation, and her feelings of being an outsider in engineering. Inez's story demonstrates that the playing field in engineering is still not level, particularly for socio‐economically disadvantaged students. Her story provides a poignant example of the impact of five of Conefrey's cultural myths of science.

The Myth of Science or the Science of Myth? Italo Calvino and the “Hard Core of Being”

(2004). The Myth of Science or the Science of Myth? Italo Calvino and the “Hard Core of Being”. Italian Culture: Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 71-91.