Abstract
MR. JOHN LANGDON-DAVIES published a year or two back an interesting and stimulating book on “Man and his Universe”, of which the thesis was that the pursuit of science through the ages was the search for God. This was carried out by a sketch of the main steps in the evolution of science, and, being connected by the one master idea, it proved valuable to many lay minds who are perplexed by the intricacies and apparent volte-faces in present-day science. The second volume, which is now before us, attempts the more ambitious task of a philosophic survey of the whole field and discusses the relations of science with other branches of human thought; but, unfortunately, it does not take us very far. Aiming at being philosophical, it fails from want of philosophy. Where thorough and penetrating analysis is needed, it is content to put us off with superficial antitheses which lead to the devastating conclusion, often repeated, that “Reason as a leader of men is dethroned”.
Science and Common Sense.
By John Langdon-Davies. Pp. 284. (London: Hamish Hamilton, Ltd., 1931.) 10s. 6d. net.
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Science and Common Sense . Nature 129, 331 (1932). https://doi.org/10.1038/129331b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/129331b0