An Instinct For Truth

An exploration of the scientific mindset—such character virtues as curiosity, veracity, attentiveness, and humility to evidence—and its importance for science, democracy, and human flourishing. Exemplary scientists have a characteristic way of viewing the world and their work: their mindset and methods all aim at discovering truths about nature. In An Instinct for Truth, Robert Pennock explores this scientific mindset and argues that what Charles Darwin called “an instinct for truth, knowledge, and discovery” has a tacit moral structure—that it is important not only for scientific excellence and integrity but also for democracy and human flourishing. In an era of “post-truth,” the scientific drive to discover empirical truths has a special value. Taking a virtue-theoretic perspective, Pennock explores curiosity, veracity, skepticism, humility to evidence, and other scientific virtues and vices. He explains that curiosity is the most distinctive element of the scientific character, by which other norms are shaped; discusses the passionate nature of scientific attentiveness; and calls for science education not only to teach scientific findings and methods but also to nurture the scientific mindset and its core values. Drawing on historical sources as well as a sociological study of more than a thousand scientists, Pennock's philosophical account is grounded in values that scientists themselves recognize they should aspire to. Pennock argues that epistemic and ethical values are normatively interconnected, and that for science and society to flourish, we need not just a philosophy of science, but a philosophy of the scientist.

An exploration of the scientific mindset—such character virtues as curiosity, veracity, attentiveness, and humility to evidence—and its importance for science, democracy, and human flourishing. Exemplary scientists have a characteristic way of viewing the world and their work: their mindset and methods all aim at discovering truths about nature. In An Instinct for Truth, Robert Pennock explores this scientific mindset and argues that what Charles Darwin called “an instinct for truth, knowledge, and discovery” has a tacit moral structure—that it is important not only for scientific excellence and integrity but also for democracy and human flourishing. In an era of “post-truth,” the scientific drive to discover empirical truths has a special value. Taking a virtue-theoretic perspective, Pennock explores curiosity, veracity, skepticism, humility to evidence, and other scientific virtues and vices. He explains that curiosity is the most distinctive element of the scientific character, by which other norms are shaped; discusses the passionate nature of scientific attentiveness; and calls for science education not only to teach scientific findings and methods but also to nurture the scientific mindset and its core values. Drawing on historical sources as well as a sociological study of more than a thousand scientists, Pennock's philosophical account is grounded in values that scientists themselves recognize they should aspire to. Pennock argues that epistemic and ethical values are normatively interconnected, and that for science and society to flourish, we need not just a philosophy of science, but a philosophy of the scientist.

This volume consists of the revised and expanded versions of the papers presented at the International Conference “Nietzsche On Instinct and Language”, held at the Universidade Nova de Lisboa (Portugal) in December 2009. The list of contributors includes top Nietzsche scholars, like Werner Stegmaier, Patrick Wotling, and Scarlett Marton. The volume as a whole represents a fresh look at Nietzsche’s attempt to connect language to the instinctive activity of the human body. Four of the papers focus on Nietzsche’s early Nachlass notes and writings, including The Birth of Tragedy and On Truth and Lying in a Non-Moral Sense; the other seven deal with his mature views on this important subject, especially in Beyond Good and Evil, The Gay Science, and the Nachlass. In focusing on how Nietzsche tries to dissolve the traditional opposition between instinct and language, as well as between instinct and consciousness and instinct and reason, the different papers consider, from this viewpoint, such Nietzschean themes as morality, value, the concept of philosophy, dogmatism, naturalization, metaphor, affectivity and emotion, health and sickness, tragedy, and laughter.

"Fraud and deceit in the halls of science"--Cover subtitle.

Recommended by Graham Norton on The Graham Norton Show _________________________ He'll do anything to protect his secrets. She'll stop at nothing to expose the truth. It only takes one person to break the silence. When solicitor Finn Fitzpatrick is approached by a man to investigate the death of his daughter, her first instinct is to refuse. The father is grieving, and unable to accept that his daughter committed suicide. And yet something about the man’s story chimes with Finn. Why did a bright, confident, beautiful young girl suddenly drop out of school? Could the answer lie in her relationship with Ireland's most famous film director? The deeper Finn goes into the case, the more dark, twisted and dangerous the picture becomes. Because these are powerful people she is trying to expose. And they're willing to do anything to keep the truth hidden. _________________________ 'Just finished Darkest Truth by Catherine Kirwan. It's brilliant! A heroine flawed but not in the normal whisky-soaked-my-wife-has-left me way - that takes you on an evocative crime journey through the cut-throughs and cobbles of Cork City. A fabulous sleep thief and great read.' OWEN McDONNELL, Killing Eve 'A clever twist on the genre.' ARAMINTA HALL, author of Our Kind of Cruelty 'A gripping, twisting novel of mounting suspense. It couldn't be more relevant.' AMY LLOYD, author of The Innocent Wife 'A fast-paced and twisty thriller, with a gutsy protagonist you can't help but root for. It left me breathless.' CLAIRE ASKEW, author of All The Hidden Truths 'The story is told at a propulsive rate, the legal details are persuasive and the dialogue is excellent.' IRISH TIMES 'This is a wonderfully assured debut. While the plot of Darkest Truth may have been suggested by the recent worldwide #MeToo movement, there is little of the 'me too' in its writing because Kirwan delivers her cracking tale in her own distinctive voice. In Finn Fitzpatrick, she has created an immensely likeable, feisty and individual character, and the supporting cast in this intriguing mystery are equally well drawn.' IRISH INDEPENDENT 'Her quest to expose Gill is dark and twisted, but the believability of the characters is undeniable. Powerful writing’ WOMAN

Originally published in 1928, the principle aim of this book was to present and apply an original viewpoint in psychology. The work is substantially that of a thesis on "The Problem of Personality in the Light of Recent Psychology" for which the author was awarded the degree of Doctor of Letters in the University of Melbourne in 1925. Today it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context.