Science and Sanity

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Science and Sanity: An Introduction to Non-Aristotelian Systems and General Semantics is a 1933 philosophy book written by Alfred Korzybski.{{cite book | last=Korzybski | first=Alfred | title=Science and Sanity: An Introduction to Non-Aristotelian Systems and General Semantics | edition=6 | year=2023 | orig-year=1933 | publisher=Institute of General Semantics | isbn=9781970164220}}{{cite journal | last=Temple | first=G. | title=Science and Sanity: An Introduction to Non-Aristotelian Systems and General Semantics. By Alfred Korzybski . Lancaster, Penn., and New York: The International Non-aristotelian Library Publishing Company, 1933. Pp. xx + 798.| journal=Philosophy | volume=10 | issue=38 | date=1935 | issn=0031-8191 | doi=10.1017/S0031819100018635 | pages=245–247}}{{cite journal | last=Baker | first=Joseph E. | title=The Science of Man | journal=College English | publisher=National Council of Teachers of English | volume=6 | issue=7 | year=1945 | issn=0010-0994 | jstor=371069 | pages=395–401 | doi=10.2307/371069 | url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/371069 | access-date=2025-01-10| url-access=subscription }} Published by the Institute of General Semantics,Review by Bobby Matherne: https://southerncrossreview.org/26/matherne-bookreview.htm it remains in print, the sixth edition released in 2023.{{cite journal | last=Levinson | first=Martin H. | title=BOOK REVIEW | journal=ETC: A Review of General Semantics | publisher=Institute of General Semantics | volume=81 | issue=1 | year=2024 | issn=0014-164X | pages=147–148 }} It's considered Korzybski's magnum opus.{{cite journal | last=Reesinck | first=J. J. M. | title=On Korzybski | journal=Synthese | publisher=Springer | volume=5 | issue=5/6 | year=1946 | issn=0039-7857 | jstor=20113869 | pages=231–236 | doi=10.1007/BF02274385 | url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/20113869 | access-date=2025-01-12| url-access=subscription }}

Korzybski argued that common natural languages are of limited value in sciences.{{cite journal | last=Haslam | first=Gerald | title=Korzybski's Quest | journal=ETC: A Review of General Semantics | publisher=Institute of General Semantics | volume=27 | issue=1 | year=1970 | issn=0014-164X | jstor=42574611 | pages=67–80 | url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/42574611 | access-date=2025-01-10}} He wanted to help humankind to create better languages to handle reality.{{cite journal | last=Lahman | first=Mary P. | title=General Semantics: Understanding Korzybski's Formulations | journal=ETC: A Review of General Semantics | publisher=Institute of General Semantics | volume=70 | issue=2 | year=2013 | issn=0014-164X | jstor=42579251 | pages=111–119 | url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/42579251 | access-date=2025-01-10}} He advocated for the necessity of more rigor in both math and physics.{{cite book | url=https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1934-01910-000 | title=Science and sanity. An introduction to non-Aristotelian systems and general semantics | date=1933 |last=Korzybski |first=A. |publisher=International Non-Aristotelian Library}}

In the book, Korzybski makes distinction between the words "insane" and "unsane".Kenneth G. Johnson - Korzybski on Research: Suggestions from Science and Sanity, available at the book General Semantics in Psychotherapy: Selected Writings on Methods Aiding Therapy pp. 185–201

The book argues for the use of non-Aristotelian logic in the sciences. Korzybski was accused of being anti-Aristotle.

Korzybski intended the book to serve as a training manual.{{cite journal | last=Robertson | first=Thomas | title=Views and Reviews: SCIENCE AND SANITY | journal=The New English Weekly | volume=XXXV | issue=9 | date=1949-06-09 | pages=103–104 | via=reproduction in General Semantics Bulletin, Numbers 1&2, Autumn-Winter 1949–1950, Institute of General Semantics, Lakeville, CT, pp. 51–52}} In 1948, Korzybski authorized publication of Selections from Science and Sanity after educators voiced concerns that at more than 800 pages, the full book was too bulky and expensive.{{cite book | last=Korzybski | first=Alfred | title=Selections from Science and Sanity: An Introduction to Non-Aristotelian Systems and General Semantics | edition=2 | year=2010 | orig-year=1948 | chapter=Author's Note |page=xi |publisher=Institute of General Semantics | isbn=9780982755914}}