Science is essentially an anarchic enterprise: theoretical anarchism is more humanitarian and more likely to encourage progress than its law-and-order alternatives.

Summary

This quote suggests that science operates best in a state of intellectual freedom and open exploration, rather than being restricted by rigid rules and authority. The concept of "theoretical anarchism" here refers to the idea that science benefits from a lack of constraints and restrictions, allowing for innovative and diverse perspectives. This approach is argued to have a more humanistic approach, promoting progress and advancing knowledge, compared to more restrictive, ordered systems. In essence, the quote suggests that embracing intellectual anarchy in science can lead to greater advancements.