“In this age of enlightenment, the soothsayer and astrologer flourish"

Philip José Farmer

“In this age of enlightenment, the soothsayer and astrologer flourish. As science pushes forward, ignorance and superstition gallop around the flanks and bite science in the rear with big dark teeth.” 

Philip Jose Farmer 

Philip José Farmer, born on January 26, 1918, was an American science fiction writer known for his imaginative and often provocative works that pushed the boundaries of the genre. Riders of the Purple Wage, where this quote originates, is a novella published in 1967 as part of the anthology Dangerous Visions, edited by Harlan Ellison. This work is a satirical and surreal exploration of a future society shaped by the excesses of government, culture, and technology.

The quote "In this age of enlightenment, the soothsayer and astrologer flourish. As science pushes forward, ignorance and superstition gallop around the flanks and bite science in the rear with big dark teeth" reflects Farmer’s sharp critique of the paradoxical relationship between scientific progress and the persistence of superstition and ignorance. Despite living in an era marked by significant advancements in knowledge and technology—an "age of enlightenment"—the old habits of irrational belief systems continue to thrive.

Farmer’s use of vivid imagery, like "gallop around the flanks" and "bite science in the rear with big dark teeth," emphasizes how persistent and aggressive these forces of superstition can be, even in the face of overwhelming evidence and rational thought. The soothsayer and astrologer symbolize the enduring human attraction to mysticism and the supernatural, which can offer comfort or answers in a world where science may seem cold or too complex to understand fully.

This quote is deeply ironic because it highlights how, even as society becomes more enlightened and educated, there is often a concurrent rise in pseudoscience and irrational beliefs. Farmer points to a fundamental tension within human nature: the desire for certainty and simplicity often leads people to embrace unscientific ideas, even when science provides more accurate, albeit sometimes less comforting, explanations.

In the broader context of Riders of the Purple Wage, this observation can be seen as a commentary on the superficiality and contradictions within the society Farmer depicts—a world where people have access to almost limitless resources and information, yet still cling to outdated or baseless beliefs. The novella is a satire of the welfare state and the over-dependence on technology, where genuine intellectual inquiry is often overshadowed by trivial pursuits and the allure of easy answers.

Farmer’s critique remains relevant today, as we witness the persistence of conspiracy theories, alternative medicine, and other forms of pseudoscience despite living in an age where scientific knowledge is more accessible than ever. His quote serves as a reminder that progress in science and rational thought does not automatically eliminate ignorance and superstition; instead, these elements adapt and find new ways to thrive, often by exploiting the very advancements meant to enlighten us.

Ultimately, Farmer underscores the importance of vigilance in defending rationality and critical thinking, as the forces of ignorance and superstition are always ready to challenge the progress that science and enlightenment seek to achieve.