|
|
Article: Weird science.( )(Letter to the editor)
- Article from:
- Harper's Magazine
- Article date:
- February 1, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Harper's Magazine Foundation. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
In her November review, "Hysterical Scientism," Marilynne Robinson argues that "eugenics is science as surely as totemism is religion"; therefore Richard Dawkins should own up to the treachery of science. But Robinson is dismissive of the fact that scientists assume error as a function of their progress. Moreover, scientists can correct their major texts, whereas those who profess that the Bible is "holy writ," as Robinson has, cannot. After all, can the Bible ever be said to be in error, even if translated or understood anew?
Additionally, Robinson claims that in order to be fair in his analysis, Dawkins must distinguish between "authentic religion" and ...