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Feb 2025
1h 17m

Explaining the Origins of Science

Turpentine
About this episode

In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett examine science's historical development, challenging conventional narratives by tracing its roots in Christian philosophy and ancient traditions. The hosts analyze how empirical methodology transformed into modern "scientism," arguing that contemporary society has abandoned true scientific inquiry for ideology-driven selectivity, placing these intellectual shifts within broader historical patterns of knowledge systems.


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HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Science developed from Christian philosophy and ancient traditions rather than in opposition to them
  • The Catholic Church historically funded and supported scientific development before later tensions arose
  • Different civilizations throughout history had fundamentally different worldviews than modern Western perspectives
  • Modern society practices "scientism" (using scientific language selectively to justify predetermined beliefs) rather than actual science
  • Science works best as an arbitration method but struggles with contextual understanding and moral questions
  • Hermeticism and mystical traditions played a significant role in early scientific thought that's often overlooked
  • The separation of religion from science was a historical development rather than an inherent opposition
  • Modern institutions frequently claim scientific authority while actually operating on ideological premises

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