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There is in certain circles a widely held belief that the only proper kind of knowledge is scientific knowledge. This belief often runs parallel to the notion that legitimate knowledge is obtained when a scientist follows a rigorous investigative procedure called the 'scientific method'. Chris Haufe challenges this idea. He shows that what we know about the so-called scientific method rests fundamentally on the use of finely tuned human judgments directed toward certain questions about the natural world. He suggests that this dependence on judgment in fact reveals deep affinities between scientific knowledge and another, equally important, sort of comprehension: that of humanistic creative endeavour. His wide-ranging and stimulating new book uncovers the unexpected unity underlying all our efforts - whether scientific or arts-based - to understand human experience. In so doing, it makes a vital contribution to broader conversation about the value of the humanities in an increasingly STEM-saturated educational culture.
List of contents
1. Introduction; 2. 'What would the community think?'; 3. Canon and consensus; 4. Knowing what matters; 5. In defense of how things seem; 6. Reading what lies within; 7. Humanities victorious?; 8. Of interest; 9. The hoax and the humanities.
About the author
Chris Haufe is the Elizabeth M. and William C. Treuhaft Professor of the Humanities and Chair of the Department of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University. He is the author of How Knowledge Grows (2022) and Fruitfulness (2024).
Summary
We often think of people as falling into one of two very different categories: those into science, math, and engineering; or into history, philosophy, and literature. Haufe reveals the unexpected unity underlying different disciplinary efforts to understand our experiences. He makes a vital contribution to wider debates about knowledge-generation.
Foreword
Skilfully demonstrates how the natural sciences and humanities are both involved in generating different but legitimate forms of disciplinary knowledge.
