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CS Lewis, COVID-19, and scientism

Denyse O'Leary
August 19, 2020
Culture, Intelligent Design, Science
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Seventy-five years ago, C.S. Lewis published his novel ”That Hideous Strength,” which explored the dangers of government in the name of science. What relevance does Lewis’s advice on the promise and perils of science-based public policy have in the age of COVID-19 and beyond? Political scientist John West, editor of the book The Magician’s Twin: C. S. Lewis on Science, Scientism, and Society, explores what we might learn from Lewis about the abuses of science during emergencies and how we might harness the benefits of science while avoiding the drawbacks of “scientism.” This online talk was originally delivered as part of a webinar held by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute on May 16, 2020.

Comments
Unlike you, Bob, I can read for comprehension. Also, unlike you, I am not stupid enough to think that nature can produce coded information processing systems like the genetic code. So there's thatET
August 21, 2020
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Thank you ET. And we should accept that you're a capable judge of science... why?Bob O'H
August 21, 2020
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Bob O'H- You don't know what you are talking about. HCQ has proven to be effective when used properly. Perhaps you should learn how to read and understand that scienceET
August 21, 2020
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AaronS1978 - I don't think there was one paper that "defaced hydroxychloroquine". Even before it came out there was a drip, drip of papers saying that HCQ wasn't a cure (e.g. the VA study). What the retracted paper did was (before it was retracted) to cause other trials, such as the Recovery trial, to pause and look at their data, and find no effect. I think Trump's support and the reaction will be used as a case study in why politicians should be careful before leaping into one side of a scientific debate. When he did that, the data weren't clear, so the issue became politicised. But now thee is a consensus, certainly amongst reglulatory bodies, that HCQ isn't effective, but it will be more difficult for them to get that message across.Bob O'H
August 21, 2020
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The fact of the main paper that defaced hydroxychloroquine was retracted should be a clue to everybody that is a big push against it willing to promote inaccurate science and that is a problem political in nature there’s no reason why I can know your political perspective and be able to predict whether you support the drug or not accurately, Which speaks more to the political perspective and not to the effectiveness of the drug one way or another It was no surprise that Seversky said what he said Personally I’m neutral to the drug But I am not neutral to the vehement attack on the drug from the other side and it got attacked viciously the moment Trump supported itAaronS1978
August 21, 2020
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It's as if there are people who think that President Trump made up the use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for covid-19. I am sure that history will show that the efficacy for hydroxychloroquine was demonstrated first and all the President did was promote it as a hopeful solution, given the medical data at the time. And it appears that when it is used properly, it is very effective.ET
August 20, 2020
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We can see what kind of scientists are rising to the top, like scum on stagnant water - narcissistic socialists.BrunoAr
August 20, 2020
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The promotion of HCL before its efficacy has been demonstrated is also ethically suspect.
By the same logic: The mandate of a nationwide lock down before its efficacy has been demonstrated is also ethically suspect. The mandate of social distancing and mask wearing before its efficacy has been demonstrated is also ethically suspect. Well actually the only thing that is ethically suspect is the logic. But it doesn’t take much to convince the lemmings.john_a_designer
August 20, 2020
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The promotion of HCL before its efficacy has been demonstrated is also ethically suspect
But this never happened. So what is ethically suspect? What is ethically challenged is not providing it early for everyone with virus. Probably 140,000 dead in US because of this and a similar number in Europe. But no one cares. They’re just dots.
jerry
August 20, 2020
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The promotion of HCL before its efficacy has been demonstrated is also ethically suspect.Seversky
August 20, 2020
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I completely agree with Dr West. I would say that he was very generous to Dr Fauci. The selling against hydroxycholorquine was morally suspect.bill cole
August 20, 2020
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