For Good Reason: Jennifer Michael Hecht - The Poetry of Skepticism

[Jeff Wagg]

Jennifer Michael Hecht discusses art, poetry and literature as an entree into skepticism and critical thinking. As an historian of science, she contrasts the poetic stance with the scientific worldview. She talks about temporal biases within science, and urges scientific humility, as opposed to scientism. She criticizes some forms of skepticism within the humanities that consider science to be just one mythic narrative among many others. And she explores how poetry and ritual may enrich the skeptical life.

Listen at http://www.forgoodreason.org/jennifer_michael_hecht_the_poetry_of_skepticism.

 

[BrianEngler]

I've read and enjoyed her books. Although I tend to consider natural science as the most authoritative worldview, I'm not sure that attitude necessarily runs counter to an attitude of scientific humility. I look forward to hearing her speak at TAM.

 

[blobru]

I've read and enjoyed her books. Although I tend to consider natural science as the most authoritative worldview, I'm not sure that attitude necessarily runs counter to an attitude of scientific humility...

I agree. Scientism is boring. And poetry can be fun* (as in her collection, "Funny"). Her survey of religious skepticism, Doubt, also makes a great point: that atheism is not just a recent fad, but has a long, proud history. I loved the quote from the podcast: "...the vast majority of people who become poets seem to do so because they don't believe the simple stories..."; followed by Emily Dickinson's witty, skeptical, "On Faith". A sensible path between scientific conceit and postmodern lunacy she blazes. (Loved the jewish accent and humour, too.)

*Poems can also be bad; however, for better or worse, the interview provoked a grim & goofy one on science vs poetry:

for the Hecht of it (Emi D-ish)
"40 years to a better you!"
(the science of self-improvement)
[a poem, ironically enough]:

I built a wall around myself
That would not let the dead inside
That would not let the living out
I built a wall around myself

I built a church inside myself
To house the feelings that ring true
The bells that sound for me and you
I built a church inside myself

I made a pact with my own priests
That I would only speak the truth
Try harder symbols, bitter fruit
Upon the monkey lips of god

Read only from the number books
And mutter curses over prayer
Bright reason in the autumn air
And painted leaves upon the ground

If poetry can make us mad
We'd better throw the beggars out
And force 'em each to honest alms
With odes to ratios, threaded screws

And leave the priests to prove that love
Is not that many-splendored thing
Is hormones, enzymes, tied to springs
Upon the ancient tribal veldt

Let's build a bridge across the gap
Between our tinctured maps and things
And dangle poets in the deep
To hook the foul leviathan

Imagine what blank verse they'll scream
The progress that our newborns dream
The indigestion of the fish
The gills that pulse to no purpose

And having gathered all the facts
Retire to our summer homes
The shells upon the beach, and stones
And grains of glass called "silica"

And build a wall from stone and glass
That will not let the dead inside
And will not let the living out
They've better things to do...

Thanks DJ & JM! Great conversation.