Polanyi Quotes

When, as we must often do, we fear science, we really fear ourselves. — John Charles Polanyi

We know more than we can tell. — Michael Polanyi

But even physics cannot be defined from an atomic topography. — Michael Polanyi

Though neglectful of their responsibility to protect science, scientists are increasingly aware of their responsibility to society. — John Polanyi

Of course language manifests a belief only if we use its words with the implied acceptance of their appositeness. — Michael Polanyi

It is this, at its most basic, that makes science a humane pursuit; it acknowledges the commonality of people's experience. — John Charles Polanyi

Human beings exercise responsibilities within a social setting and a framework of obligations which transcend the principle of intelligence. — Michael Polanyi

Idealism is the highest form of reason. — John Charles Polanyi

For science must breathe the oxygen of freedom. — John Charles Polanyi

Though we explore in a culturally-conditioned way, the reality we sketch is universal. — John Charles Polanyi

Human dignity is better served by embracing knowledge. — John Charles Polanyi

Today, Academies of Science use their influence around the world in support of human rights. — John Charles Polanyi

Personal participation is the universal principle of knowing. — Michael Polanyi

The most exciting thing in the twentieth century is science. — John Charles Polanyi

Authority in science exists to be questioned, since heresy is the spring from which new ideas flow. — John C. Polanyi

Science is an enterprise that can only flourish if it puts the truth ahead of nationality, ethnicity, class and color. — John C. Polanyi

In the late 1950s a major topic under discussion was whether Canada should acquire nuclear weapons. — John Charles Polanyi

No inanimate object is ever fully determined by the laws of physics and chemistry. — Michael Polanyi

Theories of evolution must provide for the creative acts which brought such theories into existence. — Michael Polanyi

Scientists and scholars should constitute themselves as an international NGO of exceptional authority. — John Charles Polanyi

It takes a trained and discerning researcher to keep the goal in sight, and to detect evidence of the creeping progress toward it. — John Charles Polanyi

The eye searches for shapes. It searches for a beginning, a middle, and an end. — John Charles Polanyi

In nation after nation, democracy has taken the place of autocracy. — John Charles Polanyi

In education the appetite does indeed grow with eating. I have never known anyone to abandon study because they knew too much. — John Charles Polanyi

Nothing is more irredeemably irrelevant than bad science. — John Charles Polanyi

Others think it the responsibility of scientists to coerce the rest of society, because they have the power that derives from special knowledge. — John Charles Polanyi

Science is a collection of stories, linking characters worthy of notice. — John Charles Polanyi

the selfish gladly consoled themselves with the thought that though it was merciful at least it was not liberal; — Karl Polanyi

The scientific and scholarly community is marked by the belief that the truth is to be found in all; none can claim it as their monopoly. — John Charles Polanyi

The applause is a celebration not only of the actors but also of the audience. It constitutes a shared moment of delight. — John Charles Polanyi

Science exists, moreover, only as a journey toward troth. Stifle dissent and you end that journey. — John Charles Polanyi

The process of philosophic and scientific enlightenment has shaken the stability of beliefs held explicitly as articles of faith. — Michael Polanyi

Scientia is knowledge. It is only in the popular mind that it is equated with facts. — John Charles Polanyi

Discoveries are made by pursuing possibilities suggested by existing knowledge. — Michael Polanyi

Even in the world of molecules the civilising influence of modest restraints is a cause for rejoicing. — John Charles Polanyi

Enclosures have been appropriately called a revolution of the rich against the poor. — Karl Polanyi

The time has come to underscore the fact that our and others' rights are contingent on our willingness to assert and defend them. — John Charles Polanyi