scientism

American  

[sahy-uhn-tiz-uhm] / ˈsaɪ ənˌtɪz əm /

noun

1. the style, assumptions, techniques, practices, etc., typifying or regarded as typifying scientists.

2. the belief that the assumptions, methods of research, etc., of the physical and biological sciences are equally appropriate and essential to all other disciplines, including the humanities and the social sciences.

3. scientific or pseudoscientific language.

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scientism British  

/ ˈsaɪənˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. the application of, or belief in, the scientific method

2. the uncritical application of scientific or quasi-scientific methods to inappropriate fields of study or investigation

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Other Word Forms

• scientistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of scientism

First recorded in 1875–80; scient(ist) + -ism

Example Sentences

“I think it’s dangerous to lean too far into scientism, which is when you see the world exclusively through the lens of whether something is backed by science,” O’Keefe said.

From Slate • Oct. 20, 2022

But his consilience project stems from excessive faith in science, or scientism.

From Scientific American • Jun. 25, 2021

There’s also a difference between scientism and science.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 17, 2019

Where science has often expanded and liberated our sense of self, scientism has constrained it.

From Nature • Oct. 7, 2019

Like our scientism of to-day, it was unable to lay down a system of morals.

From Saint Augustin by O'Sullivan, Vincent