[ExI] A science-religious experience

[BillK]

On Wed, 19 Feb 2025 at 08:54, Rafal Smigrodzki via extropy-chat
<extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:
>
> I read Asimov's "The Last Question" again today:
>
> https://users.ece.cmu.edu/~gamvrosi/thelastq.html
>
> I keep forgetting the author, the title, most of the details but the arc of the story is always there with me. It shapes my perception of reality and the direction of my most long-term oriented actions, such as the maintenance of my cryonics contract or following news about the coming singularity. I have been re-reading it every ten years or so for the last 50 years and every time it is a science-religious experience for me, what I imagine deeply religious people feel when they commune with their gods. I get misty-eyed, elated, blissful...
>
> I am deeply non-religious. My mind must be the sharp blade that cleaves truth from chaos, not one that inscribes dreams of heaven and hell on the surface of reality. The easy path of faith is closed to me.They say that all people have a god-shaped hole in their minds. Mine is all filled with curiosity.
>
> I worship at the shrine of science. Our scripture is peer-reviewed and written anew every day in a hundred thousand journals. If I could sing I would sing canticles to St. Darwin and St. Hassabis. Our religion grows stronger all the time, as measured in bits of knowledge created and in ergs harvested in its service. It literally moves mountains and raises the chosen ones to visit heaven, temporarily for now but soon to settle there permanently.
>
> So chant with me, fellow worshippers:
>
> Science is faith-free                                     - because it is true.
> Science gives us strength like no other        -because it is true.
> Science gives us hope                                 - because it is true.
>
> And there will be light!
>
> Rafal Smigrodzki, MD-PhD
> Schuyler Biotech PLLC
> _______________________________________________


This article seems relevant.
BillK

Mini Philosophy — February 19, 2025  Jonny Thomson
Why you must be logical and scientific to be a good person
The more you know, the better you can act.

<https://bigthink.com/mini-philosophy/why-you-must-be-logical-and-scientific-to-be-a-good-person/>
Quote:
Key Takeaways
Being “scientistic” is different from being a scientist. A scientist
is just someone who does science, but to behave scientistically is to
believe that science is the only way of knowing or even living.
Big Think spoke with philosopher and biologist Massimo Pigliucci about
how scientism accurately describes the world but falls short as a
complete guide for living — an area where ethics and philosophy are
essential.
We need ethical principles, logical reasoning, and scientific literacy
to make sound moral decisions and lead a flourishing life.
-----------------------------