Science, Philosophy, and Democracy & Liberty: Selected Writings from Professor Cheng-Hung Lin's Academic Works and Commentary Articles

This volume collects Professor Cheng-hung Lin’s academic articles that have not yet been collected, commentaries on public affairs, as well as letters and interviews, and is primarily divided into three parts with an appendix.

The first part, “Selected Academic Articles,” includes thirteen representative articles, including reexamination of logical empiricism, criticisms of Popper’s falsificationism, reflections on Kuhn’s notions of paradigm and objectivity, and a comparison between Hu Shi’s and Hai-guang Yin’s views on science. These articles showcase Professor Lin’s engagement with contemporary prominent philosophers of science in both the Western world and Taiwan.

The second part, “Selected Political Commentaries,” includes ten commentaries that witness Professor Lin’s social participation during the period of Taiwan’s democratic transformation. These commentaries not only analyze the autonomy of higher education but also directly address the language manipulation of authoritarian legacies. They extend the rigor of philosophical analysis to the public domain, demonstrating how rational critique can be applied to engage with social controversies.

The third part, “Letters and Interviews,” includes four letters exchanged between Professor Lin and Mr. Hai-guang Yin, as well as four letters written to Mr. Chung-hsin Chen. These letters clearly reveal the spirit of Professor Lin’s pursuit of truth. In the two interviews, Professor Lin talks about his interaction with Hai-guang Yin, the event surrounding Department of Philosophy at National Taiwan University in 1973, his academic journey, and the founding of the Taiwan Philosophical Association.

Additionally, the appendix includes a biography of Professor Lin, an article titled “Still Missing!” by Professor Wei-zhe Yang, and a catalog of Professor Lin’s works. The publication of this collection represents a more complete record of Professor Lin’s professional achievements and life. The editor hopes that this volume can guide readers to understand the philosopher Cheng-hung Lin’s extraordinary thoughts and life.