--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am critical of modernity giving science…" description: "\"I am critical of modernity giving science and technology a blank check as if it were the fountain of all truth. That is not true. And I think I may hav..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22b/huston-smith-2415_am_i-am-critical-of-modernity-giving-scienc_1452549.jpg" --- # I am critical of modernity giving science and technology a… ![“I am critical of modernity giving science and technology a blank check as if it were the fountain of all truth. That is not true. And I think I may have introduced a word which has now caught on quite a bit, scientism. Science is good. It simply reports a discovery.” quote by Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22b/huston-smith-2415_am_i-am-critical-of-modernity-giving-scienc_1452549.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22b/huston-smith-2415_am_i-am-critical-of-modernity-giving-scienc_1452549.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22b/huston-smith-2415_am_i-am-critical-of-modernity-giving-scienc_1452549.jpg) > “I am critical of modernity giving science and technology a blank check as if it were the fountain of all truth. That is not true. And I think I may have introduced a word which has now caught on quite a bit, scientism. Science is good. It simply reports a discovery.” [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Warns against uncritical acceptance of science as ultimate truth, coining “scientism.” **In simple terms:** Science isn’t the only source of truth. Key Takeaway Balance science with other ways of knowing. Themes science philosophy critical thinking Mood analytical thoughtful Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - academic discourse - public policy - education - media literacy Key Concepts epistemology skepticism Questions to Reflect On - What limits should be placed on scientific authority? - How do we integrate science with spirituality? A Different Perspective Science alone cannot answer moral or existential questions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blank check](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blank-check/) [Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Modernity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modernity/) [Reports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reports/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Science technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-technology/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [Unlike scientism, science in the true sense of the word is open to unbiased investigation of any existing phenomena.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislav-grof/unlike-scientism-science-in-the-true-sense-of-the-word-is-open-to/) [Stanislav Grof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislav-grof/) > [“Distortion and suppression of the truth is encouraged by a prevailing attitude of scientism, not science itself but rather a certain attitude of veneration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-menuge/distortion-and-suppression-of-the-truth-is-encouraged-by-a-prevailing/) [Angus Menuge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-menuge/) > [“Science is good, is not God. ~\_~”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fakeer-ishavardas/science-is-good-is-not-god/) [Fakeer Ishavardas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fakeer-ishavardas/) > [David Sainsbury has been good for science and good for innovation in the U.K. He has been an outstanding science minister and shown extraordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-walport/david-sainsbury-has-been-good-for-science-and-good-for-innovation-in/) [Mark Walport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-walport/) > [We are doing everything we can to protect the food supply. And I can tell you that we're making decisions based upon sound science…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-veneman/we-are-doing-everything-we-can-to-protect-the-food-supply-and-i-can/) [Ann Veneman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-veneman/) > [I have three boys. And I wanted to make sure it connected with them and then those guys who grew up like me, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-hart/i-have-three-boys-and-i-wanted-to-make-sure-it-connected-with-them/) [Carl Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-hart/) > [Science is very good at answering the 'how' questions. 'How did the universe evolve to the form that we see?' But it is woefully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/science-is-very-good-at-answering-the-how-questions-how-did-the/) [Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/) > [We are living in a society that is totally dependent on science and high technology, and yet most of us are effectively alienated and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-druyan/we-are-living-in-a-society-that-is-totally-dependent-on-science-and/) [Ann Druyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-druyan/) > [Good science and good art are always about a condition of awe. I don't think there is any other function for the poet or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-walcott/good-science-and-good-art-are-always-about-a-condition-of-awe-i-don-t/) [Derek Walcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-walcott/) > [The products of modern science are not in themselves good or bad; it is the way they are used that determines their value.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-mcluhan/the-products-of-modern-science-are-not-in-themselves-good-or-bad-it/) [Marshall McLuhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-mcluhan/) > [“The ufo is nothing more than an assertion of herself by the Goddess into history, saying to science and paternalistically governed and driven organizations:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/the-ufo-is-nothing-more-than-an-assertion-of-herself-by-the-goddess/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [I was a Science student and it is often believed that all those who study Science are only good in academics, so many students…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manushi-chhillar/i-was-a-science-student-and-it-is-often-believed-that-all-those-who/) [Manushi Chhillar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manushi-chhillar/) > [I have faith that science is a good thing. Seriously, I'd say that I am very much in awe of nature. In fact, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-m-church/i-have-faith-that-science-is-a-good-thing-seriously-i-d-say-that-i-am/) [George M. Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-m-church/) > [Science is a good thing. News reporters are good things too. But it's never a good idea to put them in the same room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-adams/science-is-a-good-thing-news-reporters-are-good-things-too-but-it-s/) [Scott Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-adams/) > [My brother and I were both good at science, and we were both good at English literature. Either one of us could have gone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/my-brother-and-i-were-both-good-at-science-and-we-were-both-good-at/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) ## More by Huston Smith > [“The Transcendent was my morning meal, we had the Eternal at lunch, and I ate a slice of the Infinite at dinner.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/the-transcendent-was-my-morning-meal-we-had-the-eternal-at-lunch-and/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [The first koan do not have rational answers. They are techniques devised over the millennia for triggering an actual experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/the-first-koan-do-not-have-rational-answers-they-are-techniques/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [We all carry it within us: supreme strength, the fullness of wisdom, unquenchable joy. It is never thwarted, and cannot be destroyed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/we-all-carry-it-within-us-supreme-strength-the-fullness-of-wisdom/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [A nation can assume that the addition of the words "under God" to its pledge of allegiance gives evidence that its citizens actually believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/a-nation-can-assume-that-the-addition-of-the-words-under-god-to-its/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [“Some friends accused me of whoring after the Infinite. Well, what better whoredom is there?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/some-friends-accused-me-of-whoring-after-the-infinite-well-what/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [Imagine a man besottedly in love: he won't waste time speculating whether other women equally merit his affection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/imagine-a-man-besottedly-in-love-he-won-t-waste-time-speculating/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [“If my opinion that substance requires a true unity were founded only on a definition I had formulated in opposition to common usage, \*then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/if-my-opinion-that-substance-requires-a-true-unity-were-founded-only/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [The New Age movement looks like a mixed bag. I see much in it that seems good: It's optimistic; it's enthusiastic; it has the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/the-new-age-movement-looks-like-a-mixed-bag-i-see-much-in-it-that/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [Science can prove nothing about God, because God lies outside its province.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/science-can-prove-nothing-about-god-because-god-lies-outside-its/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [I had assumed that Bush's seemingly inflexible policy to support Sharon was for political reasons of his getting elected. But as to whether he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/i-had-assumed-that-bush-s-seemingly-inflexible-policy-to-support/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [The Buddha is in me, the Buddha is in you. Live up to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/the-buddha-is-in-me-the-buddha-is-in-you-live-up-to-it/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [“How many planes there are, we do not know. The levels of nature that science discriminates give us no clue, for these all pertain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/how-many-planes-there-are-we-do-not-know-the-levels-of-nature-that/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [So always, if we look back, concern for face-to-face morality, and its modern emphasis on justice as well, have historically evolved as religious issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/so-always-if-we-look-back-concern-for-face-to-face-morality-and-its/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [All -isms end up in schisms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/all-isms-end-up-in-schisms/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [Most of the book deals with things we already know yet never learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/most-of-the-book-deals-with-things-we-already-know-yet-never-learn/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) [Explore all 167 Huston Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) ## More Am quotes > [I don't own designer clothes, or a sports car, or a huge house, but I am seeing the world, experiencing amazing things, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/i-don-t-own-designer-clothes-or-a-sports-car-or-a-huge-house-but-i-am/) [Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I am on sabbatical as of right now, been too busy to think of about my OWN needs as of late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-diamond/i-am-on-sabbatical-as-of-right-now-been-too-busy-to-think-of-about-my/) [Jim Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-diamond/) > [I am strongly opposed to any form of amnesty, including, especially, executive amnesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/i-am-strongly-opposed-to-any-form-of-amnesty-including-especially/) [Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/) > [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [I won't be managing the Mets. I am closing the door on managing the Mets and probably everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/i-won-t-be-managing-the-mets-i-am-closing-the-door-on-managing-the/) [Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/) > [I know who I am. I know what I represent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/i-know-who-i-am-i-know-what-i-represent/) [Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/) > [I am fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-am-fortunate/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) Darlene Senger > [Acting is what I do with who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-walter/acting-is-what-i-do-with-who-i-am/) [Harriet Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-walter/) > [I am a big outliner. 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