The Hope of Progress: A Scientist Looks at Problems in Philosophy, Literature and Science

by Peter Medawar

First published in 1972, The Hope of Progress presents collection of essays and lectures dealing with the history of scientific ideas and the impact of science on society. The principle piece in this volume is the author’s 1969 presidential address to the British Association ‘On The Effecting of All Things Possible’, an argument for believing in the ability of science to solve the problems it has itself created, and which too many of us believe insoluble. It contains author’s Romanes Lecture on ‘Science and Literature’ and a well known critique of J.D. Watson’s notorious account of the discovery of the molecular structure of DNA, The Double Helix . Other chapters discuss the possibility of the control and domination by science of the body and mind of Man- though the author concludes in ‘The Genetic Improvement of Man’ : ‘I think that, in the main, for many centuries to come, we shall have to put up with human beings as they are at present constituted’. This book will be useful for scholars and researchers of history of science, philosophy of science, natural science, and philosophy in general.

Genres: Science, Philosophy

145 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Aaron Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

poetism: belief that imaginative insight and a mysteriously privileged sensibility can tell us all the answers that are truly worthy of being sought or being known...

[John Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure, but I think I read this in the mid-70s, when it came to me as part of a subscription to new paperback releases from Doubleday & Anchor Books. And I think it introduced me to the mind-body problem in philosophy.

[Tothenergetic]

Presented quite a few freshing insights. Enjoyable.