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Single Idea 6267

[from 'Meaning and the Moral Sciences' by Hilary Putnam, in 1. Philosophy / G. Scientific Philosophy / 3. Scientism ]

Full Idea

The acknowledgement that the sphere of knowledge is wider than the sphere of 'science' seems to me to be a cultural necessity if we are to arrive at a sane and human view of ourselves or of science.

Gist of Idea

A culture needs to admit that knowledge is more extensive than just 'science'

Source

Hilary Putnam (Meaning and the Moral Sciences [1978], Intro)

Book Reference

Putnam,Hilary: 'Meaning and the Moral Sciences' [RKP 1981], p.5


A Reaction

A very nice remark, with which I intuitively agree, but then you are left with the problem of explaining how something can qualify as knowledge when it can't pass the stringent tests of science. How wide to we spread, and why?