The human and non-human sciences

It's my view that the project we call science is based on a fallacious foundation. The view that all things must be explained in a reductionistic and materialist manner is a grave mistake, and one that needs to be remedied if the project is going to get back on the right track.

Quotes and comments;

A. 'But because the mechanical view has a perfect right of existence in a part of the territory which history has gradually assigned to natural science, and has indeed led in it to various valuable results, many have drawn the conclusion that natural science is the only true science, and that the mechanical solution is the only
true solution of all phenomena. [1.]

- It's my view that we need to divide the sciences up into the physical sciences, the animal sciences, and the human sciences. Each requires its own methodology and guiding principles. It is therefore a category mistake to treat human beings as if they were (merely) physical objects. I define scientism as treating human beings as if they were physical objects, or mere animals. In scientism we see the imperialistic spirit of man's intellect at work. Since man was created in God's image, he was created with a capacity and a 'will' to see things in terms of a 'total' picture. (i.e. in terms of God's providence) When men reject God they replace his Providence with a 'totalizing' worldview of their own; thus scientism. [2.]

B. 'Robert Mayer, for instance, the discoverer of the law of the conservation of energy, completely excluded from this law the entire domain of psychical life, and considered it a great error to identify things physical and psychical. [3.]

- To insist all phenomena in the universe be studied and explained in terms of a single methodology is a philosophical decision. There is nothing in the data which shows this to be correct or that necessitates such a choice.

Notes;
1. The philosophy of revelation - Herman Bavinck/p.87
2. Another way of seeing this drive is as one for unity. Because man was created in the image of God he seeks unity in his worldview. (We can see this drive as evidence such unity exists.)
3. ibid p.101