From knowledge to wisdom: a revolution for science and the humanities

Abstract

2nd ed. "From Knowledge to Wisdom argues that there is an urgent need, for both intellectual and humanitarian reasons, to bring about a revolution in science and the humanities. The outcome would be a kind of academic inquiry rationally devoted to helping humanity learn how to create a better world. The basic intellectual aim of inquiry would be to seek and promote wisdom - wisdom being the capacity to realize what is of value in life for oneself and others, thus including knowledge and technological know-how, but much else besides. * "There are altogether too many symptoms of malaise in our science-based society for Nicholas Maxwell's diagnosis to be ignored." Professor Christopher Longuet-Higgins, Nature. * "a strong effort is needed if one is to stand back and clearly state the objections to the whole enormous tangle of misconceptions which surround the notion of science to-day. Maxwell has made that effort in this powerful, profound and important book." Dr. Mary Midgley, University Quarterly. * "The essential idea is really so simple, so transparently right ... It is a profound book, refreshingly unpretentious, and deserves to be read, refined and implemented." Dr. Stewart Richards, Annals of Science. This second edition is revised throughout, has additional material and three new chapters.". 1. Human suffering and the need for a comprehensive intellectual revolution -- 2. The philosophy of knowledge -- 3. The basic objection to the philosophy of knowledge -- 4. The philosophy of wisdom -- 5. Aim-orientated rationalism -- 6. Present domination of the philosophy of knowledge in the academic world -- 7. Assessment of the basic argument -- 8. Objections to the philosophy of wisdomEfutationof minimal standard empiricism: from science to natural philosophy -- 9. How can there be life of value in the physical universe? -- 10. The revolution is under way -- 11. The revolution is underway: twenty years later -- 12. Replies to criticism -- 13. Aim-orientated empiricism since 1984.