Förnuft till döds? Debatten om Georg Henrik von Wrights bok: Vetenskapen och förnuftet

Abstract

This paper relates a debate on a book Vetenskapen och förnuftet (1986) written by the Scandinavian philosopher Georg Henrik von Wright (1916 - 2003). The book brings up fate of mankind, raising the question if human rational thinking and scientific achievements are threatening our very existence on earth. Shortly after the book was published, it was intensively debated in a leading Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet. Some 20 leading politicians and scientists contributed with their criticism during spring 1987. The paper highlights this debate by writing reception history, describing how the book with its serious message was received by leading scientists of the time. Thinking is traced back to history of ideas in the western world and the belief in scientific progress. The debate turned out to become very polarized and is described mainly in three dimensions, the optimism- or pessimism for the future, human rationality versus reason, and conditions of future human life. Written during a time with strong economic growth, von Wrights book came as a surprising prophecy and warning speaking clearly of what technological progress have caused in wars, in segregation and in environmental impact, and even predicting the apocalypse as likely. The perspective points forward to the debates and negotiations on sustainable development that we have today. Several of the critics plead and express hope for a new era with increased focus on reason and human values compared to the predominant mechanism of economic growth and technological rationality of today.