01 May 2008

Darwinism, Science and the Holocaust

Yes, Darwinism was used by the Nazis, as we were discussing on an earlier post. So, for that matter, was medical science (think Dr Mengele), and even automotive engineering (think Volkswagen). Along with history and archaeology. To argue that because science or medicine or engineering were used by the Nazis therefore there must be something suspect about them seems a logical fallacy. Not that the creator of "Expelled" isn't willing to go there:

"When we just saw that man, I think it was Mr. Myers [i.e. biologist P.Z. Myers], talking about how great scientists were, I was thinking to myself the last time any of my relatives saw scientists telling them what to do they were telling them to go to the showers to get gassed … that was horrifying beyond words, and that’s where science — in my opinion, this is just an opinion — that’s where science leads you," - Ben Stein.

It also leads to the polio vaccine, airplanes that don't fall out of the sky (usually) and computers.

Of course, that last one may actually be evil.


in fact, computers are keeping me from reading half a dozen papers about medieval Spain even as I type! So, good-night folks, for a few days perhaps.

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2 Comments:

At 02 May, 2008 19:42, Blogger Elliot said...

Alas, I USED to think Ben Stein was smart.

Of course, if he had said "That's one place where science CAN lead you," or "that's one use science has been put to," well, that would be more accurate. I do get tired of certain partisan people claiming that science and scientists are ALL good, ALL the time. But to swing to the opposite extreme is even more ridiculous.

 
At 05 May, 2008 12:36, Blogger Clemens said...

Scientists are like auto-mechanics or doctors. Some get your brakes fixed, some get your heart restarted, and some of both can kill you.

It is not some reified version of their 'science' that is at fault, only the practitioner.

 

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