Legitimation of Belief"The main aim of this thoughtful and thought-provoking book is to characterize and explain the difference between pre-scientific systems of belief within which science could, and did, emerge and develop. Using the armoury of both philosophy and anthropology, Ernest Gellner attacks his task with his customary sharp wit and polemical gusto." - Times Literary Supplement. |
Common terms and phrases
accept actually appears argument assumption attempt becomes behaviour beliefs called central century characteristic Chomsky claim cognitive complex concepts concerning confusion consequence contrary contrast course criteria criticism culture distinct doctrine doubt effect empiricism empiricist error ethic existence experience explanation fact faith follows formulated genuine ghost give given hand hence human ideas important independent instance intellectual interesting kind knowledge language least less linguistic live logical machine manner material matter means mechanism merely mind monism moral nature never norms objects observed once ordinary perhaps philosophy picture political position possess possible powers practice precisely premisses present principle problem question rationality re-endorsement reality reasons remains requires scientific seems sense simply social society speak specific structure style suppose theory things thinkers thought tradition true truth ultimate understand valid vision whole