Scientists, and science itself, have been variously accused of being reductionistic, formalistic, atheistic, and imperialistic. Although charges of scientism are occasionally merited, critiques of science often confuse the metaphysical principles of philosophy with the far milder methodological principles observed by scientists. I explain the difference, distinguishing several flavors of reductionism, naturalism, and other “-isms.”
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.epatters.org/post/scientific-stance