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Oxford University Press, USA
The Geography of Insight: The Sciences, the Humanities, How They Differ, Why They Matter
The Geography of Insight: The Sciences, the Humanities, How They Differ, Why They Matter
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The humanities and the sciences face challenging times, each in their own way. The humanities suffer shrinking enrollments and budgets, and are perceived by some as irrelevant in a changing economy. The sciences face a political climate that disrespects academic expertise and challenges
settled debates. Meanwhile age-old disputes about their spheres of knowledge continue: does scientific knowledge subsume that of the humanities? Are their forms of knowledge complementary, or ultimately at odds? Richard Foley, a philosopher of knowledge and the former Dean of Arts and Sciences at New York University, here provides a concise and accessible overview of what the overarching goals of these disciplines are, relative to one another, and what kind of knowledge they aim to produce. His fundamental
argument is that the sciences aim at insights that ideally are not limited to particular locations or times and are also perspective-free and wholly descriptive, whereas the humanities appropriately seek insights about specific locations and times, with the insights being perspective-based and
having evaluative as well as descriptive elements. He also finds these two spheres of knowledge to be complementary in the search for understanding of our world and the human condition. The ultimate goal of Foley's investigation however is an eloquent defense and celebration of the culture of
academic research. In an era of sound-bites and tweet-length falsehoods, this culture values and supports long-term intellectual achievements for the good of humanity - produced with hard work, dedication, and patience. The Geography of Insight is essential reading for readers both inside and
outside of the academy.
Author: Richard Foley
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 05/02/2018
Pages: 144
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.00w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9780190865122
Review Citation(s):
Choice 04/01/2019
settled debates. Meanwhile age-old disputes about their spheres of knowledge continue: does scientific knowledge subsume that of the humanities? Are their forms of knowledge complementary, or ultimately at odds? Richard Foley, a philosopher of knowledge and the former Dean of Arts and Sciences at New York University, here provides a concise and accessible overview of what the overarching goals of these disciplines are, relative to one another, and what kind of knowledge they aim to produce. His fundamental
argument is that the sciences aim at insights that ideally are not limited to particular locations or times and are also perspective-free and wholly descriptive, whereas the humanities appropriately seek insights about specific locations and times, with the insights being perspective-based and
having evaluative as well as descriptive elements. He also finds these two spheres of knowledge to be complementary in the search for understanding of our world and the human condition. The ultimate goal of Foley's investigation however is an eloquent defense and celebration of the culture of
academic research. In an era of sound-bites and tweet-length falsehoods, this culture values and supports long-term intellectual achievements for the good of humanity - produced with hard work, dedication, and patience. The Geography of Insight is essential reading for readers both inside and
outside of the academy.
Author: Richard Foley
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 05/02/2018
Pages: 144
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.00w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9780190865122
Review Citation(s):
Choice 04/01/2019
About the Author
Richard Foley is Professor of Philosophy at New York University. He is the author of When is True Belief Knowledge? (2012), Intellectual Trust in Oneself and Others (2001), and Working Without a Net (OUP 1992).
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