III. "ON THE TRADITIONAL MORALITY OF SCIENCE"
The late 1960's and early 1970's have witnessed an outburst of criticism of science, anti scientific sentiment and philosophical attempts at undermining the credibility of science. In some quarters it is being denied that the purpose of science is disinterested search for truth. Science has become suspect as the originator of nuclear weapons and environmental pollution, and as the potential source of the unfathomable harms of genetic engineering. Its dispassionate rationality is considered as one of the main causes of spiritual impoverishment and moral indifference. Finally, and somewhat inconsistently, there are assertions casting doubt on the universal validity of scientific knowledge. It is argued that science is just another "ideology," a manifestation of Western culture which has no meaning in other cultures. It is asserted that there are, or are likely to emerge, systems of thought of validity equal to "Western" science based on entirely different epistemalogical assumptions. Everything from ancient Polynesian myths to Chinese acupuncture is eagerly embraced as a potential alternative to modern science, providing valid knowledge without the threat of physical destruction or spiritual disillusionment.