--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we say 'science' we can either mean…" description: "\"When we say 'science' we can either mean any manipulation of the inventive and organizing power of the human intellect: or we can mean such an extremel..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/023/wyndham-lewis-7767_accounts_when-we-say-science-we-can-either-mean-a_503263.jpg" --- # When we say 'science' we can either mean any manipulation… ![“When we say 'science' we can either mean any manipulation of the inventive and organizing power of the human intellect: or we can mean such an extremely different thing as the religion of science, the vulgarized derivative from this pure activity manipulated by a sort of priestcraft into a great…” quote by Wyndham Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/023/wyndham-lewis-7767_accounts_when-we-say-science-we-can-either-mean-a_503263.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/023/wyndham-lewis-7767_accounts_when-we-say-science-we-can-either-mean-a_503263.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/023/wyndham-lewis-7767_accounts_when-we-say-science-we-can-either-mean-a_503263.jpg) > “When we say 'science' we can either mean any manipulation of the inventive and organizing power of the human intellect: or we can mean such an extremely different thing as the religion of science, the vulgarized derivative from this pure activity manipulated by a sort of priestcraft into a great religious and political weapon.” [Wyndham Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wyndham-lewis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage contrasts two views of science: as a neutral, inventive process versus a dogmatic, quasi-religious ideology manipulated for power. **In simple terms:** Science can be seen as creative or as a weaponized belief system. Key Takeaway Beware of treating science as an unquestioned authority. Themes science philosophy power religion Mood analytical skeptical Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - academic discourse - policy making - media representation - education curricula Key Concepts epistemology ideology political manipulation Questions to Reflect On - How can we distinguish genuine science from politicized rhetoric? - What safeguards protect scientific integrity? A Different Perspective The quote may conflate legitimate scientific debate with extremist misuse. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Great religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-religious/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Intellect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellect/) [Manipulation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manipulation/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) ## Related quotes > [The scientist does not study nature because it is useful to do so. 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The first difficulty before the enquirer is that the writings do not profess to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-hughes/what-kind-of-thing-is-the-religion-those-writings-describe-the-first/) [Philip Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-hughes/) > [The best thing about religion is that it's so transparently absurd it can't possibly last forever. I'm convinced it will only take a small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-condell/the-best-thing-about-religion-is-that-it-s-so-transparently-absurd-it/) [Pat Condell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-condell/) > [I think there's a lot of similarity between what people try to do with religion with what they want from art. 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