Abstract
THE Riddell Memorial Lectures, given by distinguished men of science, philosophy and theology, provide a pulpit of great value. One has only to glance through the list of names since the first series was published in 1928 to see how powerful this foundation has become. Into this learned company Prof. M. Polanyi fits extremely well. He discusses “Science and Reality” (1), “Authority and Conscience” (2), and “Dedication or Servitude” (3). There is also an appendix dealing with the premises of science and the question of observation. Through all that Prof. Polanyi has to say shines a passionate desire for truth and for full opportunity to realize it. His background, differing-as it must-from our own in certain ways, is atone with it in its plea for tolerance, and for the inculcation of responsibility in the transmission of tradition. By means of a clarification of man's cultural and social purpose, he will be brought-it is claimed-to a revelation of the Divine. An interesting point is made regarding seeming irrelevance. Scientific genius consists largely in the ability to pounce upon something fundamental and to follow it up relentlessly, consigning the rest to limbo. Indeed, this is the way to the eternal verities, philosophic and otherwise.
Science, Faith and Society
Prof.
M.
Polanyi
By. (University of Durham: Riddell Memorial Lectures, Eighteenth Series.) Pp. 80. (London: Oxford University Press, 1946.) 2s. 6d. net.
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RAWLINS, F. Science, Faith and Society. Nature 159, 793 (1947). https://doi.org/10.1038/159793c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/159793c0