Synthesis philosophica, Vol. 27 No. 2, 2012.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
Michael Polanyi on Freedom of Science
Péter Hartl
; University of St Andrews, St Leonard’s College, Departments of Philosophy, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom
Sažetak
In the present essay I investigate Polanyi’s main arguments for academic freedom. Academic and political freedom are closely related to each other: if state takes control over science, it will lead to the collapse of freedom itself in the whole society. His arguments against totalitarianism rely on his anti-positivist philosophy of science. He diagnoses totalitarianism as a denial of academic freedom which is based on a pragmatist view of science and instrumentalist interpretation of moral values. Polanyi’s idea of science is a spiritual, idealistic description of a community of free intellectuals who are passionately committed to seeking the truth and have an autonomous community with its own rules and autonomous direction. Seeking the truth for its own sake is the essential goal of science, which can be accomplished only if it remains free from political, ideological and economical influences. I will argue that Polanyi’s insights can still be relevant today, when science can become an instrument of profit-oriented practical needs instead of seeking the truth itself, and the humanities (including philosophy) are often considered unnecessary.
Ključne riječi
academic freedom; Michael Polanyi; pure science; scientific authority; self-coordination; tacit judgements; totalitarianism; tradition; truth
Hrčak ID:
101723
URI
Datum izdavanja:
19.2.2013.
Posjeta: 5.576 *