Abstract
Mario Bunge was born in Argentina in the final year of the First World War.He learnt atomic physics and quantum mechanics from an Austrian refugeewho had been a student of Heisenberg. Additionally he taught himself modernphilosophy in an environment that was a philosophical backwater. He was thefirst South American philosopher of science to be trained in science. Hispublications in physics, philosophy, psychology, sociology and the foundationsof biology, are staggering in number, and include a massive 8-volume Treatiseon Philosophy. The unifying thread of his scholarship is the constant and vigorousadvancement of the Enlightenment Project, and criticism of cultural and academicmovements that deny or devalue the core planks of the project: namely its naturalism,the search for truth, the universality of science, rationality, and respect for individuals.At a time when specialisation is widely decried, and its deleterious effects on science,philosophy of science, educational research and science teaching are recognised – it is salutary to see the fruits of one person's pursuit of the ‘Big' scientific and philosophical picture.
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Matthews, M.R. Mario Bunge: Physicist and Philosopher. Science & Education 12, 431–444 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025364722916
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025364722916