Memories of Kenneth E.Boulding

Abstract

The forty-year friendship between the author and Kenneth Boulding was cemented by three affinities. (1) an intense common interest in the system-theoretic approach to the philosophy of science, especially its “organismic” direction; (2) shared feeling that in its development the scientific outlook largely bypassed the introspective mode of cognition; (3)an uncompromising rejection of violence especially of its sanctioned, rationalized type, organized by power elities (war). The wide divergence of out attitude toward religion had no effect on the intimacy and intensity of the friendship.

Keywords:

• Cognition
• peace activism
• religion
• science
• system
• truth
• values