Science as a contemporary myth
the philosophy of Mary Midgley
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2178-6224v20i2p11-36Palabras clave:
Scientific reductionism, Nature-nurture, Nature of science, Scientific epistemology, Richard Dawkins, ScientismResumen
The book “The Myths We Live By” was first published in 2004 by the British philosopher Mary Midgley (1919-2018), exploring the philosophy of science and moral philosophy. The book, a collection of some of her lectures, articles, and book chapters, discusses the importance of myths in human life and the role that science came to occupy, replacing the historical presence of religious beliefs. The present article aims to present and discuss an introduction to the philosopher’s thought, exposed in this book and other publications, for which she defends a scientific anti-reductionist position, presents criticisms of the gene-centric view of Richard Dawkins, and pursues an integration of dualities such as mind-body and that of natural and human sciences. In Midgley’s understanding, the dualistic approach that opposes objective and subjective views hinders the analysis of human phenomena. She proposes to reduce the conceptual separation between humans and other animals, understanding humanity as a continuum of nature. Her philosophy emphasises that our ideas and interpretations of science are crucial to our understanding of humanity, culture, and the world around us.
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