Knowing and Being

Knowing and Being collects fourteen essays by philosopher Michael Polanyi that explore his theories of knowledge, perception, and scientific discovery. The essays span Polanyi's work from 1959-1961 and were edited by Marjorie Grene. The book develops Polanyi's concept of "tacit knowledge" - the idea that humans know more than they can explicitly explain or articulate. Through examples from science, art, and language, Polanyi demonstrates how personal judgment and implicit understanding form the foundation of all knowledge. These essays examine scientific methodology, the nature of consciousness, mind-body dualism, and the relationship between facts and values. Polanyi challenges both objectivist and relativist views of knowledge through detailed analysis of how discovery and learning actually occur. The collection presents a distinctive epistemological framework that connects knowing with being, arguing that all knowledge is inherently personal while still maintaining standards of truth and reality. This philosophical perspective continues to influence discussions of expertise, skill acquisition, and the limits of purely explicit knowledge.

Readers describe this philosophical work as dense but rewarding, with original insights into tacit knowledge and personal knowing. Multiple reviewers note the book builds on themes from Polanyi's "Personal Knowledge" while being more accessible. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of how people know more than they can explicitly state - Integration of scientific method with personal judgment - Analysis of skills acquisition and expert knowledge Common criticisms: - Writing can be repetitive - Some essays feel disconnected - Complex terminology creates barriers for non-philosophers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (12 ratings) Sample review quote: "Polanyi articulates what many scientists intuitively understand but struggle to explain - that discovery requires personal commitment and judgment beyond pure logic." - Goodreads reviewer Several academic readers note they frequently return to specific chapters on tacit knowledge and discovery, while finding other sections less relevant to their work.

Personal Knowledge by Michael Polanyi A foundational text that extends the concepts of tacit knowledge and explores how personal participation shapes scientific discovery.

The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas S. Kuhn This work examines how scientific knowledge progresses through paradigm shifts rather than linear accumulation.

The Tacit Dimension by Michael Polanyi The text delves into the nature of implicit understanding and its role in human cognition and scientific inquiry.

Science, Faith and Society by Michael Polanyi This book connects scientific practice to social structures and moral commitments that underpin knowledge creation.

The Logic of Liberty by Michael Polanyi The work applies concepts of personal knowledge to social organization and the foundations of free society.

🔹 Michael Polanyi began his career as a physical chemist and medical doctor before shifting to philosophy, bringing a unique scientific perspective to his philosophical works 🔹 The concept of "tacit knowledge" introduced in this book - the idea that "we can know more than we can tell" - has influenced fields from artificial intelligence to education theory 🔹 The book challenges the prevailing scientific objectivism of its time (1969) by arguing that personal participation and commitment are essential elements of all knowledge 🔹 Polanyi developed many of his philosophical ideas while working at the University of Manchester, where he witnessed firsthand how scientific discovery actually occurs, contrary to how it was typically described in methodology textbooks 🔹 The book's essays were partly influenced by Polanyi's experience of watching scientific freedom deteriorate under totalitarian regimes, leading him to defend the importance of personal judgment in scientific inquiry