Scientia: The Great Refusal (Introduction)

The word 'science', as used in the modern sense, is a very recent one. As a kind of methodology which seeks consistency in the definition of truth, it dates back to the 18th century; its origins lie perhaps a century earlier, in the writings of Sir Francis Bacon.

As a modern religion, however, it is even more recent. In discussions with many people over the last few years, I've come to realise that it is something that some people put their trust in without any understanding whatsoever. It is even worse when every young person in a country is made to study science, and this thus confers upon it great prestige and value in the mind, and yet the majority of these people don't know what it really is.

What science is, in essence, is a refusal to countenance anything which isn't science. It is a closer's game, as opposed to an opener's invitation. More about this later.