The importance of the kind of analysis which is the concern of Robbins' review is in dealing with those who believe that empirical science can stand alone without faith. It claims that the whole range of phenomena, mental as well as physical the entire universe is its field. Robert Fischer in a little book called Science, Man and Society2 includes an excellent discussion comparing science and scientism. Fischer feels, in fact, that there are more adherents of scientism among nonscientists than among scientists. Most scientists admit that they start with certain assumptions that can't be proven and proceed from that starting point of faith.
Most evolutionists realize that there is a strong element of faith in their scientific views.
But they would say that given the element of faith, the admittedly circumstantial and not conclusive evidence is such that it is most reasonable to believe in evolution as opposed to special creation. The answer to the latter view is being made by the popular creation science ministries of such Christian brothers as Henry Morris and Duane Gish of the San Diego based Institute for Creation Research. The answer to scientism, on the other hand, is the kind of analysis illustrated in this excellent review by John Robbins. This type of argument is philosophical rather than scientific in nature and is aimed at showing that science cannot stand by itself as a means of establishing absolute knowledge. Both ministries make an important contribution in the defense and furtherance of the gospel.