Many years ago, I went to AA and got sober. Afterward, an active alcoholic kept trying to use scientific evidence against AA to argue with me. I tried to explain that the question is not scientific in nature. Getting sober is more akin to walking across a mountain pass. I went the way they told me, and I came through, and I came back. Now I can guide you through the pass. And he said the equivalent of, “Well, 75% of people who take that first fork don’t make it. That’s what science shows.” And I said, “I can show you the way through.”

Anyway, he didn’t get sober for another four years, finally going the path me and several others recommended to him. By then, he’d unfortunately suffered a lot more pain.

I try to tell folks that faith and belief lead to understanding — and others tell me, well, its all about your intentions. And I say, no, there’s a point where God’s grace comes to you, at a time of His choosing, and it’s different from a pleasant sunset or a quiet night home after a good workout and a hard day’s work.

BTW, a good friend of mine, who has since passed, loved Polanyi’s writing and spoke often of Personal Knowledge. I’m grateful you were able to articulate so well the flawed worldview so prevalent today, as well as explain the spiritual alternative.

Pax Christi.