Michael Polanyi

The scientist is not a detached observer, but an active participant in the process of discovery.

All knowing is an art.

The scientist's commitment to truth is a moral commitment.

The freedom of science is essential for its progress.

Science is a community of independent minds.

The pursuit of science is a self-coordinating activity.

The authority of science rests on its capacity to discover truth.

The scientist's personal judgment is indispensable for the progress of science.

We know what we are doing only by doing it.

The tacit component of knowledge is not a residue, but a fundamental aspect of all knowing.

The meaning of a theory lies in its application.

The scientist's commitment to truth is a commitment to a reality that transcends his own subjectivity.

The act of understanding is an act of indwelling.

We understand a thing by dwelling in it.

The scientist's personal knowledge is not a weakness, but a strength.

The freedom of thought is essential for the advancement of knowledge.

The scientific community is a self-governing body.

The authority of science is based on its internal coherence and its capacity to explain the world.

The scientist's personal vision is a source of scientific progress.

The act of knowing is an act of skill.