Las dificultades del espiritu crítico-científico en una sociedad autoritaria

The Andean area of Latin America has experienced three main historical and cultural currents, which had a strong influence on collective mentality: 1) the pre-Hispanic Indian civilizations, 2) the Iberian-Catholic tradition, and 3) a mere instrumental reception of actual western modernity. Both first influences furthered an authoritarian and collectivistic culture and were not favourable to a critical and scientific spirit. The re-establishment of democracy since 1980 promotes (with many impediments) a generalization of human rights and the introduction of a mentality opened to serious scientific research. These efforts have softened the power of authoritarianism and weakened the dogmatic attitudes.