Social justice activists’ bizarre attacks on science and reason
An apparent yearning for the Dark Ages
This post looks at the problems with the recent attacks by some within progressivism on science, logic, and mathematics.
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The significance of science, mathematics, reason, and critical thinking should be self-evident. Empirical testing and logical analysis have propelled humanity beyond the dark ages of pseudoscience and superstition. It is essential to teach critical thinking skills, an essential part of science and reason, to all, children to adults.
While the political left has historically positioned itself as a proponent of science and reason, trying to contrast itself with science skeptics in the right, there is a paradox.
Some extreme social justice activism and theorists within progressivism today actively undermine science, mathematics, and reason. They depict these areas and the Enlightenment as oppressive facets of the Western and "white" oppressive power structure.
These new and prominent social justice ideas are rooted in postmodernism, which denies the existence of objective truth, and critical theory, which seeks to dismantle Western culture and the Western Enlightenment. Although this faction may be considered a fringe within the Left, its vocal and influential nature cannot be ignored.
This movement against Enlightenment values, including freedom of speech and inquiry, has infiltrated Unitarian Universalism, traditionally regarded as a stronghold of critical thinking and free inquiry. A minister was publicly censured for using logic to critique the Unitarian Universalist Association. In response to the censure, dissenting minister Mark Gallagher wrote, "(T)his sounds like a blunt rejection of logic and reason as basic requirements in public truth-seeking." I’ve observed in UU social justice groups and forums where activists openly dismissed attendees who used logic and reason, and the UUA and many ideological ministers actively work to suppress intellectual debate and inquiry.
Dogmatism and Fanaticism in UU – by Rev. Mark Gallagher
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The following are problems with these anti-science, anti-reason, and anti-mathematics trends within progressive social justice activism.
The assertions that science, math, and reason are white and Western are false
The claim that science, math, and reason are inherently white and Western ways of thinking is unfounded. A glance at the historical development of math, science, and reason reveals their multicultural origins, evolving across various civilizations worldwide.
Mathematics’ roots extend to Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Latin America long before it arrived in Europe. For examples, Cambodians were the first to symbolize zero and East Indians and Persians developed early arithmetic. The numeral system we use is Hindu-Arabic. Logic has historical ties to diverse civilizations, including Ancient China, Greece, and India. The foundations of science can be traced back to Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia and were developed further in Ancient Greece, the Middle East, and China.
Math, reason, and the empirical method represent universal modes of thinking employed globally today. They are used in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and beyond. Rather than labeling them as exclusively "white" and "Western," racial minorities should rightfully claim their stake in the creation of these areas. It is perplexing when progressive social justice activists fail to do so.
Calling science, math, and reason white is racist
During a sermon I attended, a recently ordained Unitarian Universalist minister used the term "white science" and asserted that science was "white." I reached out to him to address the ignorance and racial stereotyping inherent in such statements, emphasizing the notable scientific and technological achievements of East Indians, Middle Easterners, Latin Americans, Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans, and that twenty-two percent of Nobel Prize winners have been Jewish.
Just a few years ago, such statements would be associated with White Nationalists or KKK members, rather than coming from a self-proclaimed progressive UU minister. That is regressive, not progressive thought. A mathematics professor said he would be fired for telling his students that math “was a white way of thinking and not a black way of thinking,” and1956 Physics Nobel Prize winner William Shockley became an academic pariah in the 1970s for arguing that blacks were intrinsically inferior to other races at physics.
Demonizing math and science economically and socially hurts minorities in a world that vocationally values such areas
Promoting the idea that math, logic, and reason are inherently racist and oppressive to minorities has the potential to negatively impact the entire field, including those who could benefit most from it. Instead of discouraging participation and stigmatizing these disciplines, activists should be focused on making STEM fields more appealing to minorities. This approach is crucial for the economic and social well-being of many individuals from minority communities, ensuring they have equal access and opportunities for a prosperous future.
It breeds a dangerous distrust of science
Unhealthy skepticism towards science exists in both extreme right and left ideologies. Instilling a general distrust of science has detrimental consequences, contributing to issues like the anti-vax movement and the propagation of harmful pseudoscience. Explicitly undermining science, mathematics, and reason within minority groups is particularly harmful, as it disproportionately affects these communities, hindering their health and well-being.
It is damaging to the country and the country’s future
Disparaging science and math, and diluting math education and removing meritocracy for the sake of social justice, negatively impact the nation and its future. Countries like China likely appreciate the rise of anti-science and anti-math sentiments in the U.S.
It embarrasses the political left and gets Republicans elected
The most ridiculous aspects of extremists make progressivism and the Left look ridiculous and irrational to outsiders. Being an anti-science and anti-reason group that says “math is racist” and “reason is oppressive” embarrasses progressivism and the left. The left and the Democratic Party should be the first to denounce counterproductive nonsense within their side of the political aisle. All the “Defund the Police” sloganeering did was get Republicans elected.
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Effectively addressing the problems in science and education
Science and logic, though crucial, are imperfect human tools with inherent limitations that prevent them from addressing all inquiries. Several vital aspects lie beyond their scopes, such as emotional meaning, spirituality, and art.
Scientists, being human, and science organizations, comprised of individuals with standard human psychology, reflect historical dominance by white men where minorities were excluded. Efforts in science, mathematics, and academia have been underway to enhance inclusivity and diversity, addressing historical imbalances. This ongoing work recognizes the need to rectify racial disparities in science and math education.
The question of how to tackle racial and sex disparities remains significant. Acknowledging the importance of racial and other diversity in education and representation is crucial for fostering learning and scientific progress. Implementing some form of affirmative action measures, such as based on class, and reforming the way science and math are taught are viable strategies to promote STEM education and success for minorities.
While there are various potential approaches to address these issues, a wholesale rejection of science, mathematics, and rationality is not a viable solution. Teaching that science and math are bad is destructive and backward. Attempts to undermine these pillars risk regressing society to a less enlightened state and will harm everyone, including minorities.
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Further reading:
Antiscience within the Left and Right
I would like to see some documentation of these statements and sermons. I am unhappy with UU progressives but I can’t determine if these are single cases or widely accepted trends. Many concerned people cite the same single story to prove a point. I fear you might be reporting a real and disturbing trend but I am not yet convinced. Thanks