Re: Seed Magazine's endorsement of Obama - Off the deep end?

On Oct 31, 5:47 pm, Robert Camp <robertlc...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
After eight years of  bald-faced hostility to science it's not
surprising that the prospect of an administration that values the
contributions and perspectives of scientists might elicit a bit of
giddiness from the disenfranchised. The first part of Seed's (the
umbrella organization for ScienceBlogs) endorsement -http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2008/10/obama_for_president.php-
reflects that relief. But I found myself wondering if this last part
went too far:

--------------------
"Far more important is this: Science is a way of governing, not just
something to be governed. Science offers a methodology and philosophy
rooted in evidence, kept in check by persistent inquiry, and bounded
by the constraints of a self-critical and rigorous method. Science is
a lens through which we can and should visualize and solve complex
problems, organize government and multilateral bodies, establish
international alliances, inspire national pride, restore positive
feelings about America around the globe, embolden democracy, and
ultimately, lead the world. More than anything, what this lens offers
the next administration is a limitless capacity to handle all that
comes its way, no matter how complex or unanticipated.

Sen. Obama's embrace of transparency and evidence-based decision-
making, his intelligence and curiosity echo this new way of looking at
the world. And that is what we should be weighing in the voting booth.
For his positions and, even more, for his way of coming to them, we
endorse Barack Obama for President of the United States."
---------------------

Hmmm...is science a "way of governing?" I suppose one might say
science, or maybe more accurately, reason could be a tool of
governance, but is reason synonymous with science? Is science a "lens
through which we can...organize government and multilateral bodies,
establish international alliances...embolden democracy, and
ultimately, lead the world?" Does this "lens" really offer the next
administration a "limitless capacity to handle all that comes its
way?" Doesn't this rhetoric smack of religious zealotry (not to
mention a bit of chauvinism)?

I'm fervently hoping for, looking forward to, and have already voted
for, an Obama administration. I've no doubt all of the science related
issues I care about will be much, much the better for such a change.
But doesn't this piece go beyond recommending Obama? Isn't it
something of an endorsement of scientism?

RLC (noctiluca)

Perhaps a tad over the top. But I see it as a reaction to the
statement by a Bush staffer: "We make our own reality."

Chris

.

Relevant Pages

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