Science Is Human Activity of Inquiry, Not Sacred Realm

"Scientific realism"—the belief that science reveals ultimate truths about reality independent of the human mind—remains a firmly held conviction of our era. This belief underpins criticisms of climate change deniers as "unscientific" and applies the same standard to opponents of evolution.

Hasok Chang, Chaired Professor at Cambridge University and a world-renowned philosopher of science, argues in his new book "A New Pragmatist Philosophy of Science" that this conventional view is not only unrealistic but also an anti-scientific ideal that actually harms scientific progress. Science should not be seen as a "sanctuary" protected from criticism, he contends, but as a dynamic human activity where continuous inquiry and debate intersect. The author advocates for "Activist Realism" as a more realistic form of realism.

Chang points out that public trust in science today is paradoxically under threat precisely because of the absolute belief in "scientific realism." Scientific realism refers to the unconditional belief that what scientific theories describe is "fact." This includes viewing invisible entities such as genes or black holes not as mathematical models for calculation, but as physically existing realities.

The author warns that the more scientific knowledge is packaged as sacred, unquestionable truth, the more the public—who once placed unconditional faith in science—will turn to distrust when actual science fails to live up to its exaggerated image.

"Acting like religious fundamentalists is not the way to defeat religious fundamentalism. Just as the most mature societies have learned to overcome the impulse to silence political opposition, we must overcome that impulse in science. We should not look to science for authority that justifies suppression," Chang emphasizes.

Drawing inspiration from classical pragmatist philosophy, the author redefines "knowledge" not as a collection of true propositions or theoretical information, but as "active knowing"—an activity performed for specific goals and the ability to do something. He also reconceptualizes "reality" as something that can be successfully employed and relied upon within our coherent activities.

The book weaves together history of science and philosophical insights with the author's characteristically accessible explanations, meticulous analysis, and bold perspectives. His observation that "knowing is like walking on a swamp that can shift at any moment, rather than on solid bedrock" is particularly thought-provoking.

Chang is Chaired Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at Cambridge University. He is the second son of former Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy Chang Jae-shik and the younger brother of Ha-Joon Chang, the renowned economist and professor at Cambridge. After attending high school in Seoul through his first year, he studied abroad at Northfield Mount Hermon School in the United States, earned degrees in physics and philosophy from California Institute of Technology, and received his Ph.D. in philosophy from Stanford University. In 2021, he received the Abraham Pais Prize, awarded by the American Physical Society and the American Institute of Physics for contributions to the history and philosophy of physics.

The book is priced at 29,000 won.