신과학/철학

신과학 토론, 전세일 교수와 강건일 박사   글쓴이 : kopsa     날짜 : 99-12-09 08:57     조회 : 5274     신과학 토론, 전세일 교수와 강건일 박사   연세대 영자지(The Yonsei Annals) 1999년 12월 호에는 신과학 관련 특 집 기사(The Controversy Surrounding the New Age Science)가 게재되 었습니다.  일반 기사 외에 신과학을 옹호하는 전세일 교수(한국정신과학 학회회장)와 신과학을 비평하는 강건일 박사(한국의사과학문제연구소장)의 토론 형식의 글이 실렸습니다. 전 교수와 강박사의 인터뷰 의견을 그대로 영문으로  싣습니다. 실제는 각자 의견이 별개로 나왔으나 재편집하여 번 갈아 적었습니다.   Q: What is the exact meaning of the new age science?  Chun: It is difficult to classify into the regular or the new age science. The conception of the new age science can be explained as the science which researches into unidentified parts which do not belong to the regular frame. Also, it is a kind of movement because open minded people have a movement to change the world view of other people. So to speak, in the situation that every part of science is progressing, the part outside of the regular science is called the new age science. I think that there is no supernatural phenomenon, but just natural phenomena which are not identified yet. Thus, we should not misunderstand the new age science as the study to research supernaturalism. Q: What are some of the important reasons for your critical view to ward the new age science? Kang: New age scientists negate objectivity. Namely, they think that it is impossible to reach objective truth, and make room for subjective and psychological factors in their research. They seem to undermine the fact that science itself requires objectivity; a scientific and rational view is valuable in this modern society. Among the critics, such an absurd science is referred to as antiscience. Antiscience aims for antimodernism, and they seem to retrogress to ancient superstitions, as harsh as it may sound. Also, in this wrong cognition, Thomas Kuhn's paradigm shift is misused to explain their thoughts. New age upholders insist that ancient minds can be regarded as science in their era, but they have misunderstood the conception of a paradigm. For example, the division of the word "science" into Eastern and Western sciences is an absurd thought. Thus, there is no alternative medicine. The only thing we can say is science, which is based on logic and rationality, is the only one in this modern civilization. Q: What do you think of the criticism that the new age science is not a science? Chun: The new age scientists also use the process of observation, verification, and application as the existing regular science's req uirement. The critics insist that we uphold the new age science blindly. However, I think that they do not know about us. Namely, it is the matter of the difference of views: absolute contradiction or a mind open to possibilities. We have no difference with  other scientists expect for this view. Also, they do not confuse the scientists with people who propagate the new age science in the mass media. The scientists approach every phenomenon with scientific methods. There are so many mysterious and unexplainable things in the existing science. If the mystery is verified, it can be reclassified into the existing science. It is impossible to know about every phenomenon; thus unidentified science always exists. The process of science starts with an open mind toward the unknown world. For example, in the case of medicine, medicine is a healing art. Eastern medicine uses philosophy and metaphysics, but Western medicine uses science and technology. Eastern medicine is also proven effective through clinical tests. Philosophy with science is also important to recognize the world like the right and left brain's different operations. Thus, it is wrong to emphasize science only. And do not forget that "do not know" does not mean "do not exist." Q: What do you think of the problems caused by the new age science movement? Kang: The new age science is called  "wishful science" or "belief science." I admit that there are many phenomena that have been proven, not with scientific objectivity yet, but with new age upholders' original nature and beliefs. However, their belief is not scientific speculation. So far, when this "deceptive science," especially the aspect related with human lives such as medicine, introduced in many magazines and TV programs, I feel anger. With regard to scientific evidence, every possible fact must be considered under strict investigation. New age upholders make propaganda for their research using only favorable circumstances in order to gather many investors. They have fallen into pathological science, and I do not hesitate to use the word "self-deception." Thus, as a director of KOPSA, I give efforts to prevent such antiscience from spreading. Q: What do you think of the way the new age science must take? Chun: Nowadays, unfortunately, many people mistake the scientists who study the new age science for the new age activists. Most of all, it is important to prevent people from believing in the new age science blindly, and distinguish between true and false in the new age science. Then, through this movement, finally, we strive, hopefully, to contribute to people's health, the nation's wealth and human welfare. It is the most important purpose of the Korea Mental Science Society. Q: what do you think of the future of this controversy surrounding the new age science? Kang: First, I think that this controversy is constructive for scientists. This belief-centered science might not disappear. However, through the movement to spread real science and obstruct antiscience, they will, hopefully, disappear from mass media. The point I want to emphasize is that a logical and rational mind is needed not only in science, but also in every part of society. I think that many kinds of social chronic problems take place because there is no logical and rational thinking in this society. We should not forget the fact that rationalism fostered the humanity which makes this modern civilization. (*)