Michael Polanyi (1891–1976,) born Pollacsek Mihály, was a Hungarian-British polymath renowned for his contributions to physical chemistry, economics, and philosophy. His work influenced scientific methodology, epistemology, and political thought, particularly his critique of positivism.
Born in Budapest, Austria-Hungary, Polanyi earned an M.D. from the University of Budapest (1913) and a PhD in physical chemistry (1917.) He conducted groundbreaking research in chemical kinetics, x-ray diffraction, and gas adsorption, pioneering fibre diffraction analysis (1921) and the dislocation theory of plastic deformation (1934.) He was a professor at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in Berlin (1926) before relocating to England in 1933, where he taught at the University of Manchester. Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (1944,) he delivered the Gifford Lectures (1951–52,) shaping discussions on knowledge and freedom.
Polanyi’s works explore scientific discovery, tacit knowledge, and the limits of central planning. Notable books include Personal Knowledge: Towards a Post-Critical Philosophy (1958,) The Tacit Dimension (1966,) Science, Faith and Society (1946,) and Meaning (1975.) His papers are archived at the University of Chicago.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Michael Polanyi
Admittedly, scientific authority is not distributed evenly throughout the body of scientists; some distinguished members of the profession predominate over others of a more junior standing.
—Michael Polanyi
Topics: Authority
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