It perplexes me that the word 'scientism' is predominantly used as a slur to put people down and criticize their world view and methodology. I realized something recently, however, that helped me understand the error that is often being made, and how that error compounds the problem that is often being called out when people make the accusation of scientism.
First off, lets settle what scientism is. Wikipedia gives a good definition, that fits well with the contexts in which I see the term used:
Scientism is belief in the universal applicability of the scientific method and approach, and the view that empirical science constitutes the most authoritative worldview or most valuable part of human learning to the exclusion of other viewpoints.
