Alt Text
they keep trying to force House into this scientism box when he's so clearly not. Rationality Bros don't have the emotional intelligence to psychoanalyze that well. it's fine most of the time, but there are several moments where it's clear the writers were directly referencing
a character trait list and plugged Reddit Atheist Rationalism into the episode's context. Even when it is present it's not so big of a deal - it's usually an issue of degree not kind, and Hugh Laurie does a good job of running with it regardless.
To clarify on the emotional intelligence angle, he's clearly *aware* of the various motivations and emotions people can have, even if he doesn't respect them. But sometimes the writing forgets that and writes a more one-dimensional character instead.
But beyond that, even on an emotional dispositional level, it just doesn't fit that well. He's playful, imaginative, self-deluded, all sorts of things that don't fit with the flat and grey rationalism they (the writers and the other characters) try to ascribe to him sometimes.
And you could argue that's clearly one of the main points the show is trying to demonstrate: House's rationalism doesn't work and is internally incoherent. Sure, duh. But at least don't get so heavy handed with your preaching that you undermine your point by so obtusely presenting the opposition.
Also, it's not just the awareness, but the intense interest he shows in the internal lives of those around him. It's exceptionally entertaining and sometimes compulsively motivating for him - that's like half the content of the show! Rationalists (TM) don't affix their attention like that.