Scientism vs. Ancient Stoics

“Scientism” is the idea that science is the only way to solve the world’s problems — that if it can’t be tested or measured, it doesn’t really matter. In this clip from our upcoming Mini Philosophy interview with Massimo Pigliucci, we explore why the ancient Stoics saw things differently. The Stoics believed science is great for understanding the natural world, but it’s not enough to live a good life. They saw these three interconnected areas as essential: Science – Understanding the natural world. Logic – Not just formal logic, but all human reasoning, including psychology and awareness of biases. Ethics – The study of how to live well. Do you think science alone can guide us to a good life, or do we need philosophy and ethics too?