Volume 32, Issue 3, 2005/2006
Marty Moleski
Pages 35-39
The Man Who Fell Among Theologians
Polanyi’s philosophy of science is appealing to theologians because it shows that all acts of commitment to comprehensive interpretative frameworks are similar in fiduciary stnlcture even though their content and focus may be quite different. The recent biography of Polanyi was co-authored by a scientist and a theologian vvhose different fields of expertise helped thern appreciate the full scope of Polanyi’s career. Polanyi’s commitment to Christianity cannot be neatly categorized. As a large-hearted, open-minded, convivial thinker, he affirmed the Protestant and Enlightenment tradition of responsible, conscientious inquiry in all fields, from physics to religion. Polanyi hoped that a renewed understanding of the tacit and personal dimension of knowing might act as an antidote to the nihilistic philosophies that led to the destruction of Europe in the world wars.