Science, Faith and Society
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Science, Faith and Society by Michael Polanyi
In its concern with science as an essentially human enterprise, Science, Faith and Society makes an original and challenging contribution to the philosophy of science. On its appearance in 1946 the book quickly became the focus of controversy.
Polanyi aims to show that science must be understood as a community of inquirers held together by a common faith; science, he argues, is not the use of "scientific method" but rather consists in a discipline imposed by scientists on themselves in the interests of discovering an objective, impersonal truth. That such truth exists and can be found is part of the scientists' faith. Polanyi maintains that both authoritarianism and scepticism, attacking this faith, are attacking science itself.
Polanyi aims to show that science must be understood as a community of inquirers held together by a common faith; science, he argues, is not the use of "scientific method" but rather consists in a discipline imposed by scientists on themselves in the interests of discovering an objective, impersonal truth. That such truth exists and can be found is part of the scientists' faith. Polanyi maintains that both authoritarianism and scepticism, attacking this faith, are attacking science itself.
Michael Polanyi was a Fellow of the Royal Society of England, a University of Manchester professor of physical chemistry and social studies, and a Fellow of Merton College in Oxford. He wrote many volumes, including Personal Knowledge, The Logic of Liberty, Meaning, The Study of Man, and Knowing and Being, all of which were published by the University of Chicago Press.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780226672908 |
| ISBN 10 | 0226672905 |
| Title | Science, Faith and Society |
| Author | Michael Polanyi |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | The University of Chicago Press |
| Year published | 1964-08-15 |
| Number of pages | 96 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |