Michael Polanyi
Pioneer in reaction kinetics and philosophy of science
Quotes by Michael Polanyi
We know how to do things without being able to explain how we do them.
The scientist's personal commitment is not a bias, but a necessary condition for discovery.
The pursuit of science is a quest for reality.
The freedom of inquiry is essential for the flourishing of science.
The scientific community is a network of trust.
The authority of science is a moral authority.
The scientist's personal participation in his knowledge, which I have called 'personal knowledge,' is not a regrettable imperfection but a necessary component of all knowledge, and indeed of all human activity.
Science is not a collection of facts, but a creative endeavor, guided by intuition and personal commitment.
The pursuit of truth is a passionate commitment, not a detached observation.
My scientific work has always been driven by a sense of wonder and a desire to understand the hidden order of the universe.
The tacit dimension of knowledge is far greater than the explicit, and it is in this tacit dimension that true understanding resides.
Freedom of inquiry is essential for the advancement of knowledge. Without it, science becomes dogma.
The joy of discovery is a powerful motivator, a reward in itself for the long hours of struggle and uncertainty.
To understand is to indwell, to participate in the object of knowledge with one's whole being.
The scientific community is a fellowship of inquirers, bound by shared values and a common pursuit of truth.
My early experiences in chemistry taught me the importance of meticulous observation and the beauty of chemical transformations.
The scientist's commitment to truth is a moral commitment, a responsibility to humanity.
The act of knowing is an act of integration, bringing together disparate pieces of information into a coherent whole.
The greatest discoveries often come from unexpected places, from following one's intuition rather than rigid rules.
My family has always been a source of strength and inspiration, a constant reminder of the human dimension of all endeavors.