The Rise and Fall of Scientism: From the Dawn of Industrialization to the Post-War Humanist Revival

In the early 20th century, there was nothing more attractive than the prospects of scientific knowledge. In a world struggling for rapid industrialization, science and technology seemed to offer solutions to all problems. Newly established colleges and universities were almost exclusively dedicated to the development of science, technology, and engineering. Many believed that technology could not only solve everyday life and work problems but also reform politics, government, and business. However, after the end of World War II, academia began to invest new enthusiasm in the humanities. Many scholars believed that the humanities could help us understand what we should do and avoid losing direction in life.