The Geography of Insight

The Sciences, the Humanities, How they Differ, Why They Matter

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Mind & Body
Cover of the book The Geography of Insight by Richard Foley, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Richard Foley ISBN: 9780190865146
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: April 4, 2018
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Richard Foley
ISBN: 9780190865146
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: April 4, 2018
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

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.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

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.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Dutch by Richard Foley
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Neo-Latin by Richard Foley
Cover of the book Times Gone By by Richard Foley
Cover of the book Social Dimensions of Moral Responsibility by Richard Foley
Cover of the book Burr, Hamilton, and Jefferson : A Study in Character by Richard Foley
Cover of the book Three Faces of Desire by Richard Foley
Cover of the book Scars of War, Wounds of Peace by Richard Foley
Cover of the book Handbook of Positive Body Image and Embodiment by Richard Foley
Cover of the book Mafia Life by Richard Foley
Cover of the book The Studio Recordings of the Miles Davis Quintet, 1965-68 by Richard Foley
Cover of the book Mendelssohn and the Organ by Richard Foley
Cover of the book The Art of Tonal Analysis by Richard Foley
Cover of the book Mafia Brotherhoods by Richard Foley
Cover of the book Inventing the Feeble Mind by Richard Foley
Cover of the book The Ubiquitous Siva by Richard Foley
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy