Polanyi reframed science as the model case of liberalism in action

Evidence

In the meantime, Polanyi’s own refutation of planning evolved from a defence of pure science towards an epistemological defence of liberalism based on the position of thought in society. … Like his rivals from the left, he dismissed the neutralist position as naive in the face of the “absolute state,” citing the detachment of the scientist as a main cause for concern. … As long as it remained free from state interference, science stood as the perfect example of liberalism in action, demonstrating how individual liberty may be seamlessly reconciled with authority, tradition, and social control. — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 81

Categorization

• DEFINE: Clarifies Polanyi’s distinctive move from ‘pure science’ to an epistemological defense of liberalism predicated on thought’s social position.
• XREF: Larger point about the two society-wide ‘Planning vs. market’ debates — echoed by other chapters tracking how neoliberals framed free science as the paradigm of spontaneous order. — connects to: Polanyi’s ‘spontaneous order’ concept originated in attacks on Soviet science policy — Angus Burgin, The Great Persuasion: Reinventing Free…, 279; Polanyi linked scientific freedom to political liberty as a common fate — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 79; Neoliberalism fused philosophy of science and political economy against totalitarianism — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 53 (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Neoliberalism reframed politics as an epistemological question of what can be known #expands (0.85) — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 54
• Neoliberalism fused philosophy of science and political economy against totalitarianism #corroborates (0.75) — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 53
• Neoliberalism’s scientific program collapsed under its own ideological contradictions #responds-to (0.72) — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 92
• Early neoliberalism emerged partly from a critique of laissez-faire and naturalist philosophies of history #expands (0.72) — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 379