Customer Reviews

Michael Polanyi: Scientist and Philosopher

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Overall an interesting and informative work, "Scientist and Philosopher" sets expectations is can't fully fufill. The book is mostly "review" of Polanyi's works, with personal info tossed in somewhat at random. "Scientist and Philosopher" leaves the reader desiring a more personal and articulate picture (Polanyi's bother Karl's death is explained in a four sentence paragraph, made even more problematic by the fact that a clear picture of their relationship was never fully provided), as well as more detailed accounts of Polanyi's philosophical encounters. Instead, it is content with simply providing a somewhat shallow context to different scientific publications and philosophical works.
Yet "Scientist and Philospher" is an interesting and read and according to experts far more knowledgable than I, it is currently "the' work on Polanyi: there is no denying the hard work and research put into writing it. The last chapter of the book is the best, filled with the book's best writing and most personally informative details regarding Polanyi's religious views. This excellent chapter leaves the reader wondering why the entire book couldn't have been held to that same standard. The account of Polanyi's philosophy and how it grew is informative but not completely satisfying: descriptions are often short and don't give justice to its nuances and relation to the current ideas of the time.
I give this book 3 and 3/4 stars with the knowledge it could have easily been five with more personality and lore.