X-Message-Number: 5416
From:  (David Stodolsky)
Subject: Fwd: DUMB , DUMBER ... AND INCREASINGLY IRRATIONAL
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 95 12:24:54 +0100

Forward of letter from MX mailing list processor <>:


DUMB , DUMBER ... AND INCREASINGLY IRRATIONAL 
The New York Academy of Sciences is worried about "the flight from science
and reason," which it sees as an accelerating trend in the U.S., making
Americans susceptible to unscientific quackery and astrology, faith healing,
religious fundamentalism and paranormal charlatanism.  "Medine and science
today are being confronted by lunatics, fascists and the practitioners of
black magic," says one professor of philosophy, who shares the group's
concern that Americans seem to be losing the habit of critical thinking
because they've been misled by know-nothings who use scientific ideas to
discredit science -- claiming that ideas such as relativity and quantum
mechanics prove that science is no more certain than mystery and magic.  One
dissenter at the meeting (a psychologist specializing in "Organic
Process/Past Lives Psychotherapy") protested:  "This is not an objective
platform, and I've heard nothing but vituperation from the scientific power
structure trying to reinforce its own image.  Your medicine and science are
based on your presuppositions.  I don't deny the utility of conventional
medicine, but you refuse to acknoweldge that alternative therapies may also
be useful."  (New York Times 6/6/95 B8)



David S. Stodolsky      Euromath Center     University of Copenhagen
   Tel.: +45 38 33 03 30   Fax: +45 38 33 88 80 (C)


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