Irrationalism today

pp. 164-177

in: Joseph Agassi, Science and culture, Berlin, Springer, 2003

Abstract

According to classical rationalism, prejudiced people cannot conduct proper research, and all error is prejudice. Known cases of prejudiced and even Nazi scientists refute the first thesis. The crucial experiment between Newton and Einstein refuted the second: Newton's theory is not true, yet it is admirable all the same. Contemporary popular irrationalists declare crucial experiments impossible. They sound plausible because of the failure — due to cowardice — of the leadership of science to admit openly the need to replace the traditional theory of rationality.