Skepticism, Science & Pseudoscience

"Warhammer 40k"

Humanity is united in a theocratic, militaristic, racist empire, the "Imperium". The Imperium is ruled by various big organizations which compete with each other for influence but are nevertheless fully loyal. For historical reasons, one of those organizations, the "Mechanicum", was tasked with organizing and maintaining all things industrial and scientific.

And the Mechanicum's origins lie in a small, superstitious cult on Mars, who worshiped the machines that kept them alive when civilization collapsed. The problem: They believe that machines are magic. All production, all repairs and all usage have to follow strict rituals that include incantations, incense and blessed lubricant-oil. Some areas of research are declared off-limits on punishment of death or worse. Any new technological development (even if derived under proper doctrine) has to be sanctioned in a process that can take decades before its proliferation is allowed.

The citizens likewise adopt this superstitious, ignorant stance. Combine this with a political doctrine that favors the old ways over new ideas and an all-encompassing religious indoctrination worshiping the God-Emperor.




If you are interested, I think the Eisenhorn-Trilogy is the best entry into the WH40k-universe.