Do the Humanities Create Knowledge?

by Chris Haufe

There is in certain circles a widely held belief that the only proper kind of knowledge is scientific knowledge. This belief often runs parallel to the notion that legitimate knowledge is obtained when a scientist follows a rigorous investigative procedure called the 'scientific method'. Chris Haufe challenges this idea. He shows that what we know about the so-called scientific method rests fundamentally on the use of finely tuned human judgments directed toward certain questions about the natural world. He suggests that this dependence on judgment in fact reveals deep affinities between scientific knowledge and another, equally important, sort of that of humanistic creative endeavour. His wide-ranging and stimulating new book uncovers the unexpected unity underlying all our efforts – whether scientific or arts-based – to understand human experience. In so doing, it makes a vital contribution to broader conversation about the value of the humanities in an increasingly STEM-saturated educational culture.

Genres: Nonfiction

264 pages, Hardcover

Published February 8, 2024

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 reflection on the system and questioning the foundation of it. If it’s built on a shaky one, no matter how much value it generates, the in-the-box whirls can only ‘follow’ but never touch the essence.