SCIENCE IS NOT ENOUGH

by Vannevar Bush ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 25, 1967

The tone of these essays is that of an elder scientist-statesman reviewing with respect and reserve the changes science has wrought in man's life. Science is not enough if it leads to a materialist reductionism, if it is abused by the state, if its practitioners become arrogant or its nonpractitioners too fearful or dependent on its wisdom. Bush proposes a prepared mind so that some day some generation may gain insights into man's purpose and destiny by means other than logic or simple faith. The range of the essays includes democracy and the medical profession, the science of management, the concept of ""the gentleman of culture. Two scientific articles take up a home memory storage system, a delightful auxiliary to the brain Bush first described twenty years ago, and an amusing description of the ""science"" of baseball--and why it will never be practiced. The weightier contents of the remainder may appeal more to a generation of thinkers comparable to Bush in age and temperament. There is a clear belief in the virtue of work, humility, American democracy, and simple altruism, in general a cautious conservatism and a belief that somehow the ""good"" man will prevail.

Pub Date: Oct. 25, 1967

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1967

Categories: NONFICTION