Sensible Limericks about Scientific Materialism

In the face of a global pandemic, the novel coronavirus of 2020 has us all scratching our heads trying to remember those biology classes where we covered epidemiology and the history classes where we discussed the Black Plague. If there was ever a time to pay attention to scientific facts, this is it. And a fine time to share a few limericks about Scientific Materialism.

Under attack from a deadly virus, the wonders of modern science do provide us with some excellent explanations, probably the best explanations of all. But that doesn’t mean the scientific explanation is the only explanation. As these limericks about scientific materialism suggest, there’s more than one dimension to this world in which we exist. And for every event, we can find many layers of meaning.

As polydynamic expressions of a single cosmic consciousness, we bear a deep connection with all living things, from the mightiest of redwoods to the most vulgar of vermin. We form a miraculously complex web of beings and behaviors. So we could speculate for hours and weeks over the relationships between toxic germs, toxic industries and toxic habits. We could wave our fists, and we could wave our flags. We can point fingers, or we can look within.

And as we do any of these things, we can uncover a rich tapestry of meanings. And some of those meanings will surely have more value than others. But sometimes it’s the exercise of exploration that has the greatest value of all. So let’s all take this time in quarantine, and use it to our best advantage.

     The End of Reason
     Good science describes and great science explains
     In exploring our cosmos it’s gone to such strains
             From the pre-Galileic
             To the ribonucleic
     And the mystery of being is all that remains

     Modern Day Miracles
     Reliance on science has made the earth hotter
     And stripped all the vestments from Saint Harry Potter
             Removing the magic
             Exalting the tragic
     They’ve managed to turn all the wine back to water

     Notes from the Skeptic Tank
     There’s a skeptic I know who remains inconvincible
     Certain that logic is something invincible
             Loathe to accept
             The true secrets well kept
     And unable to pinpoint the primary principle

     Echoes of the Irrational
     The facts at our fingers are vast and voluminous
     But reason alone can be arid and ruinous
             Make up your mind
             Leave logic behind
     And come face to face with the sparkling numinous

     Partial Eclipse of the Heart
     Spirit today is confined behind fences
     Occluded by science obstructing our senses
             A matter of treason
             From overmuch reason
     Conforming to only the concrete consensus

     Inner Visions
     Pseudo-scientific, or so it’s been called
     Tell that to the Greeks — they’d be shocked and appalled
             For knowing thyself
             Is the key to good health
     Your life can’t be measured, but only recalled

     Exalt the New Dogma
     Mysteries be damned, we’ve solved them all currently
     Science has given us uttermost certainty
             Nothing can beat
             The firm and concrete
     But it’s boring as hell, if I may say so personally

Further Reading

If you liked these limericks about scientific materialism, you’ll be sure to enjoy:

• Limericks Mathematics and Physical Science
• Mordacious Limericks about Greed and Materialism
• Limericks about the Life Sciences
• Limericks about Hope in times of coronavirus
• What is a limerick?