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Wisdom, Information and Wonder: What is Knowledge For?

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Mary Midgley is a gem of a moral philosopher. Isn't the discipline supposed to be dead or something? Not so, says Midgley. In fact, this book in large is an argument for why moral philosophy is so important right now!

While the book mostly portains to science and its intersection with philosophy, she starts by lamenting the proliferation of disciplines and even sub-disciplines (or 'hyphonated disciplines, i.e. "Neurophilosophy"). Her beef is not with the fact that they are proliferating but in the fact that none of them wander outside their self-created boundaries. This is the first role, Midgley prolaims, for ethical philosophy.

Others, she says, involve practical application of scientific knowlege to life. Scientists generally aren't concerned with this area and that is neither right or wrong (although it'd be nice if it got SOME attention). They simply aren't trained for it. Philosophers can help. Also, philosophy, as its edges are not so rigidly defined, are good at thinking through issues like epistemology, ontology and in general, keeping an eye that science doesn't overstep its boundaries of demarcation (wherever that line might be). While this book was written too early, the subsequent advent of 'memetics' is case in point and Midgley, apropos, has been a fervent critic that science has overstepped its demarcation line.

While all this might seem like 'philosophies attempt to get in on the success of science", particularly to those who listen to Daniel Dennett and his ilk, Midgley's suggestions are sincere, well reasoned and not self-congratulatory in the slightest. This book should he read by scientist and philosopher alike. Also recommended, are her books "Beast and Man" (see my review), and "Evolution as a Religion".