Original scientific paper

Michael Polanyi on Freedom of Science

Péter Hartl ; University of St Andrews, St Leonard’s College, Departments of Philosophy, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom

Abstract

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.

Keywords

academic freedom; Michael Polanyi; pure science; scientific authority; self-coordination; tacit judgements; totalitarianism; tradition; truth

Hrčak ID:

101723

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/101723

Publication date:

19.2.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian french german

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