“The future belongs to science.” “Only science can save us from climate catastrophe.

” “Science is my
savior.” “Forget faith, only science can save us.” These are some of the introductory headlines that
started the videoclip entitled “The Magician's Twin: C.S. Lewis and the Case against Scientism”.

Science is a legitimate endeavor and enterprise. C.S. Lewis had a healthy respect for science, a field that
has paved the way for many advancements and progress but he also knew how it could be twisted in
order to attack religion, undermine ethics, and limit human freedom.

An important concept that’s developed in the documentary comes from Lewis comparing science with
magic and calling them twins. He does this by identifying three common characteristics: 1: The ability to
function as a religion. 2: Encourage a lack of skepticism. 3: A quest for power. Referring

In its most extreme form, scientism can be seen as a faith that science has no boundaries, and that in
due time all human problems and all aspects of human endeavor will be dealt and solved by science
alone. This is what Lewis warned humanity about, the dangers of deifying science.

While watching the videoclip, I was devastated about how powerful people’s belief in science became
intense to the point that they wanted it to become a religion. Being raised in a Christian family, although
I believe that science and religion can never meet, I felt bad for those people who had stronger belief in
science than in the Divine Being; it’s as if I failed at being a Christian.

As ordinary human beings, we tend to think that because “scientists” have earned significant academic
achievements and have brilliant minds, we can automatically trust whatever they say without critical
thinking, skepticism, or even considering that they might have a hidden agenda. We’re encouraged to
trust them because they’re experts.

It can be used for political ends to control a society at large. Politicians are known to use scientific
findings that benefit their agenda, allowing them to manipulate the public and force them to comply
with the policies.

Humanity is being blinded by the effects of science and we should not wait for the future generations to
be blinded too. Scientists should be subject to review by everyone who is capable of critical thinking.
Public policy should be about what is good and is worth having when compared to the cost.

Lewis is right to be alarmed by the dogmatic use of science because those adopting the consensus view
are claiming the right to rule based on their scientific knowledge and expertise. Those who question the
new order implemented upon society are labeled anti-science, ridiculed, or are denounced as being
opposed to progress, and Lewis rejected these charges… as well he should. He claimed that science is
not a form of knowledge immune to inspection, and that non-scientists are not segregated from science.

Lewis understood that we’re not just blind matter in motion; there’s ethics behind science, and that
comes from a universe that has been designed by God and held together by the laws he created.

Lastly, Lewis questioned how we can rescue science from scientism. He claimed we need a regenerated
science that respects human rights and honors human dignity. Amen. That was true in his day, and it’s
still true today. Such skepticism and critical thinking is exactly what we must resort to, and we need to
promote an environment where our children learn this as well.

The saying “everything that’s too much is bad” again proved its point. With this, I end this essay.

He knew some people would pursue science because they wanted power and control.

Lewis is absolutely right about these. He’s not claiming that science is the same thing as magic or that
we should shun science, but that both magic and science have these three similarities- and these
similarities demonstrate how science can be abused and result in terrible consequences such as have
been experienced in world history. Most people would understand how these characteristics describe
magic; witchdoctors, for instance, incorporate magic with religion, demonstrating that their power is a
sign of their divinity, or demonstrates a divine relationship with a deity. The witchdoctor will attempt to
convince others that the magic is real and will discourage anyone from learning his secrets. All this is
done to control or manipulate those around him.

Science, though, has a highly esteemed reputation, and scientists can be placed on a pedestal. Few
actually believe scientists would deceive the public or manipulate data. For this reason it’s easy for a
scientist to intentionally publish falsified work for a personal agenda and not get caught- even when the
work is peer reviewed. Not only that, but few realize that science can be a substitute or alternative to
religion; that it provides a sense of meaning and fulfillment. The famous evolutionary biologist Richard
Dawkins even claims to be “an intellectually fulfilled atheist”. All this means that a scientist could very
well pursue a quest for power… not that all scientists pursue a dishonest agenda, but enough that we
need to be educated on the subject, demonstrate genuine skepticism, and think critically. We should
recognize that there are those who desire to harness the power of nature and control it. Science, then,
becomes the savior where nothing is impossible.

C.S. Lewis goes so far as to claim that science can be more dangerous than magic because our society
rejects magic… and where magic has failed science has “prevailed”. The success of science makes it
easier for us to fall victim to its abuses. Therefore Lewis contends that we need to have some kind of
protection from science- a control mechanism- otherwise we’ll face a bleak future. We need a kind of
ethical basis not dictated by science itself. In our modern age it seems that nothing is sacred, not even
human life. There are scientists who maintain that there’s no distinction between humans and animals
or vegetables or minerals. This lack of distinction has justified the taking of many millions of unborn
babies since Roe v. Wade was enacted over 40 years ago.

As you can see such thinking in the name of science is dangerous. It can be used for political ends to
control a society at large. Politicians are known to use scientific findings that benefit their agenda,
allowing them to manipulate the public and force them to comply with the policies. Just think, how
many corporations have taken steps to “reduce their carbon footprint” to prevent global warming?
Climate change is accepted as fact by some scientists and the public at large, however there’s
considerable evidence demonstrating that the data in favor of man-made global warming is fraudulent.
Yet, how many people question what they’re being taught and diligently seek the truth?

Lewis is right to be alarmed by the dogmatic use of science because those adopting the consensus view
are claiming the right to rule based on their scientific knowledge and expertise. Those who question the
new order implemented upon society are labeled anti-science, ridiculed, or are denounced as being
opposed to progress, and Lewis rejected these charges… as well he should. He claimed that science is
not a form of knowledge immune to inspection, and that non-scientists are not segregated from science.
Scientists should be subject to review by everyone who is capable of critical thinking. Public policy
should be about what is good and is worth having when compared to the cost. Scientists are not moral
philosophers that can answer how we should act or determine what’s worth spending money on.

Lewis understood that we’re not just blind matter in motion; there’s ethics behind science, and that
comes from a universe that has been designed by God and held together by the laws he created.

Lastly, Lewis questioned how we can rescue science from scientism. He claimed we need a regenerated
science that respects human rights and honors human dignity. Amen. That was true in his day, and it’s
still true today. Such skepticism and critical thinking is exactly what we must resort to, and we need to
promote an environment where our children learn this as well.

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