"In an age when science was reaching from the innermost atom to the outermost cosmos and scientific technology was transfiguring the human condition, ancient superstitions ran rampant, everything from astrology to witchcraft." (p. 51)
Key concepts in this sentence:
Yes, technology transfigures. Mankind is not essentially the same if living in caves or using computers. Our lives and consciousnesses are qualitatively different.
I have friends who are astrologers and witches. The astrologers acknowledge that what they do is more art than science. One friend predicted a major life event for me that happened on schedule. She said that, within a specified time frame, there would be a major conflict involving personal relationships. We were wondering whether this or that event that happened met the requirements. Then I was hit by something big. Meanwhile, the witches practice rituals of polytheist worship.
There is a reason why science and superstition coexist. It is not just a conflict between rational and irrational aspects of individual psychologies. Science and technology are understanding and control of natural forces. Before such forces were understood or controlled, they were personified and placated by ritual and sacrifice. While scientists begin to understand atoms and the cosmos, social forces still confront individuals with the apparent externality and incomprehensibility of natural forces. Life is devastated by wars and economics as much as by earthquakes and forest fires. There are still reasons why people place their trust in the irrational.
The passage quoted above continues:
"What slowly overcame them was neither reason nor the major faiths but those lesser, often despised sects that had never compromised their creeds. Then slowly their own dominance eroded." (ibid.)
- "...them..." being those ancient superstitions. I have asked before and now ask again: which sects are meant?
4 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I don't in the least believe nonsense like astrology and witchcraft are REAL in the sense of being scientifically shown to WORK. I still recall how St. Augustine mercilessly debunked astrology in his CONFESSIONS.
If it wasn't "major faiths" like Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Islam, etc., which over came such superstitions, then I can't think of any of "...those, often despised sects that had never compromised their creeds" which did the overcoming. Unless Anderson obliquely meant the Catholic Church--the most hated and feared of all Christians!
Ad astra! Sean
Besides which, we -are- cavemen with computers. Our drives, our motivations, are identical to the mammoth-hunters.
Our essential nature has not changed in 80,000 years -- and that was a tweak.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
And dreamy Utopian "sophisters" (as Edmund Burke called them) are not going to change those drives and motivations.
Ad astra! Sean
From SM Stirling:
Sean: well, you could change them, with genetic engineering. That would be... a very bad idea.
The "Law of Unintended Consequences" strikes again...
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