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 comprehension: 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.
