Reconsideration of Science and Technology II

In reviewing and reconsidering the intellectual history of scientism and anti-scientism, the authors assess the process of reasoning and prejudices of these contrasting viewpoints, while discussing the repercussions of scientific hegemony and its contemporary criticism.

Liu Dachun is Distinguished Professor at Renmin University of China and also a pioneer and leading scholar of Chinese philosophy of science and technology. He specializes in philosophy of science, STS (science, technology and society) and history of scientific thought. Ai Zhiqiang is Professor at the School of Marxism, Liaoning University of Technology, China. He specializes in the study of Marxism and contemporary scientific and technological developments, particularly in the field of STS. Yang Huili is Lecturer of Philosophy at the School of Humanities, Southwest Jiaotong University, China. She specializes in the research of philosophy of science, STS and engineering ethics.

Introduction Part 1: Paradox of Scientism 1. The Rise of Scientism 2. The Expansion of Instrumental Reason 3. Optimism: The Omnipotence of Science and Technology 4. Pessimism: Hopeless "Les Fleurs du Mal" Part 2: Origin of Anti-Scientism 5. Crisis of Science and the Burgeoning of Irrationalism 6. The Path of Deconstructing Scientism and Its Reflection