The first half of 20th century is a period of intensive deification of
parts of the human world - in politics, science, arts. Sycophancy becomes a
profession which proliferates through education. Sycophants not only create
their gods but also determine their behaviour (see http://www.wbabin.net/valev/valev5.htm ).
In science, the king of sycophants is undoubtedly A. Eddington. His
dithyrambs greatly contribute to the establishment of the postscientific
reality where theories are to flatter, not to verify. Just an example:
«The law that entropy always increases, - the second law of thermodynamics -
holds, I think, the supreme position among the laws of Nature. If someone
points out to you that your pet theory of the universe is in disagreement
with Maxwell’s equations – then so much the worse for Maxwell’s equations.
If it is found to be contradicted by observation – well, these
experimentalists bungle things sometimes. But if your theory is found to be
against the second law of thermodynamics I can give you no hope ; there is
nothing for it but to collapse in deepest humiliation.»
For the moment, postscientism seems established forever. In 2005 the theory
of relativity is still to "celebrate", not to verify. But this perverse
postscientic practice will have to be abandoned soon. Simply because
physics and chemistry education are dying. Students don't wish to learn by
rote anymore.