Today we begin “Apologetics Month”, examining some of Lewis’ favourite arguments for his worldview. We begin by discussing his views on science, scientism, and evolution with Dr. John G. West, editor of The Magician’s Twin.
S5E40: “C.S. Lewis, Science, and Scientism” – After Hours with Dr. John G. West (Download)
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Show Notes
Introduction
Quote-of-the-week
I can understand how men should come, by observation and inference, to know a lot about the universe they live in. If, on the other hand, I swallow the scientific cosmology as a whole, then not only can I not fit in Christianity, but I cannot even fit in science.
C.S. Lewis, Is Theology Poetry
Biographical Information
Dr. John G. West is Vice President and a Senior Fellow at the Seattle-based Discovery Institute, where he also serves as Managing Director of the Institute’s Center for Science & Culture, which he co-founded with philosopher of science Stephen Meyer in 1996.
His current research examines the impact of science and “scientism” on public policy and culture. His other areas of expertise include constitutional law, American government and institutions, and religion and politics.
Dr. West has been involved in a number of documentaries and has written or edited twelve books, including: Celebrating Middle Earth: The Lord of the Rings as a Defense of Western Civilization. The C.S. Lewis Readers’ Encyclopedia The Magician’s Twin: C.S. Lewis on Science, Scientism, and Society
Biographical Information for Dr. John G. West
Chit-Chat
- Dr. West claimed it was sunny in Seattle – David didn’t believe him.
Beverage and Toast
- David was drinking Typhoo Tea
- Dr. West was drinking apple juice
Discussion
1. “Background”
- Please tell us about yourself.
- You’ve been involved with quite a few Inklings-related book projects. How did all these come about?
2. “Inklings-related books”
- Before we get too deep into the weeds, we should probably distinguish a couple of terms – science and scientism. What’s the difference between the two?
3. “Science and Scientism”
- Before we get too deep into the weeds, we should probably distinguish a couple of terms – science and scientism. What’s the difference between the two?
4. “Lewis on Science”
- So, obviously, for a C.S. Lewis podcast, we’re interested in what Lewis had to say on the subject of science. What was his relationship to science and what are some of the main works in which he speaks about it?
5. “Magic and Science. Twins?”
- In the introduction I mentioned that you edited a book called The Magician’s Twin: C.S. Lewis on Science, Scientism, and Society. Let’s talk about the book’s title, because it alludes to something which Lewis said about science and magic, namely that they were twins! Why did he say that?
6. “The origins of The Magician’s Twin”
- Can you tell us a little bit about how the book came to be?
7. “Jack and Charlie”
- Now, I had always heard that Tolkien a Creationist and Lewis was an evolutionist, although I had heard mentions that he grew more critical of Dawin’s theory as he grew older… Having said that, I’ve never really looked into it… but you have! So, from your reading of the sources, what were Lewis’ actual views on the theory of evolution?
8. “Darwinism Alternatives”
- If someone is to be suspicious of, or outright reject Darwinism, what are the other options on the table?
9. “Prompting Questions”
- I watched your documentary you produced based on the book (I’ll put in a link in the show notes) and towards the end of one of the episodes you cited The Discarded Image, commenting that the paradigm we hold very often shapes the sort of questions we ask. What did you mean by that?
10. “Other Authors and Topics”
- Before we begin wrapping things up, could you tell our listeners what other topics are in The Magician’s Twin and about some of the other contributors to the book?
