Personal Knowledge
Book description
The publication of Personal Knowledge in 1958 shook the science world, as Michael Polanyi took aim at the long-standing ideals of rigid empiricism and rule-bound logic. Today, Personal Knowledge remains one of the most significant philosophy of science books of the twentieth century, bringing the crucial concepts of “tacit knowledge”…
Why read it?
1 author picked Personal Knowledge as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Polanyi, an eminent Hungarian Jewish chemist who spent his career at the University of Manchester, was the smarter brother of the more famous Karl Polanyi, the socialist economic historian. Michael (Mihály) shows in the book how science depends on ordinary, “personal” knowledge, as for example in riding a bicycle. He was a “liberal” in the European sense, unlike his brother, and saw the scientific community as analogous to a free market, and the free market as analogous to a scientific community.
From Deirdre's list on the rhetoric of science (from a distinguished professor).
Want books like Personal Knowledge?
Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Personal Knowledge.
Browse books like Personal Knowledge
5 book lists we think you will like!
Interested in philosophy, epistemology, and the rhetoric of science?
10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about philosophy, epistemology, and the rhetoric of science.