Another worldview which I’d like to analyze in terms of our paradigmatic-rhetorical approach is New Atheism (particularly because I don’t like it). New Atheism holds:
“the view that superstition, religion and irrationalism should not simply be tolerated but should be countered, criticized, and exposed by rational argument wherever its influence arises in government, education and politics” (Wikipedia).
It is a close relative of Scientism, which:
“is belief in the universal applicability of the scientific method and approach, and the view that empirical science constitutes the most “authoritative” worldview or the most valuable part of human learning—to the exclusion of other viewpoints” (Wikipedia).
These two components comprise a proliferating worldview in modern society. The “form of knowledge” which is valued above all others is Science. Science, as defined as that body of knowledge which has been acquired by means of the usual scientific-method. All other forms of knowledge should be not only excluded, but “not tolerated… countered, criticized, and exposed.” This kind of exclusivity and militant anti-spiritualism is offensive, close-minded, and frankly, illogical. It is an age old observation that scientism contains within it a basic assumption which is self-refuting:
“Truth can only be obtained by use of the scientific-method.”
Do you see it? If you’re a clever fellow than you’ll have noticed that this statement itself has not been obtained by use of the scientific-method.
The prominent institution in this worldview is of course the University, or particularly the natural science departments. It leaves out all of the arts, humanities, history, and social sciences (most of the time). All of that is just nonsense in this worldview, and we should disdain it altogether as entirely useless and void endeavors. There is only one road to knowledge and you’d be a fool to not hop onto it.
Perhaps the biggest qualm I have (and we should all be careful not to fall into this mindset) is that our existence, our minds, our suffering of evil and pain, our experiences of love, the supernatural, and friendship, are all disregarded as being the composite and random behavior of elementary particles in the brain. Our existence is purely physical, derived from mindless, unguided fluctuations in the vacuum before the Big Bang. There is no grounds for an objective morality, only the deep pit of cultural relativism.
Do not think that this discussion consists merely in my opinions on this worldview. Although my bias is unavoidable in discussing this topic, my analysis in terms of paradigm-rhetoric has been purely objective and fact-based.
Charles Golden 