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Karl Popper As Social Philosopher

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2020

Anthony M. Mardiros
Anthony M. Mardiros*
Affiliation:
University of Alberta
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Extract

In these days of inflation, perhaps we should not be surprised that the fourteenth and latest addition to the Library of Living Philosophers, should require two volumes. Previous subjects, including Bertrand Russell, Albert Einstein and G.E. Moore, were adequately accomodated within the covers of one volume. This expansion is hardly justified by the contents of the volumes. The most interesting and useful material is to be found in Popper's opening autobiographical section, but the other contributors and critics for the most part are disappointing in their lack of critical bite.

For this reason perhaps Popper's reply to his critics adds little to our understanding of his philosophical positions, although even when his critic is as acute as A.J. Ayer, Popper's reply has an air of defensive obfuscation.

Another recent book giving a brief but clear exposition of Popper's philosophy by a former student, Bryan Magee also fails to give his views the critical examination they deserve.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Philosophy , Volume 5 , Issue 1 , September 1975 , pp. 157 - 171
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 1975

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References

1 The Philosophy of Karl Popper, edited by P.A. Schilpp, (Open Court, 1974) Vol. XIV, Books I & II, in the series “The Library of Living Philosophers“ edited by P.A. Schilpp.

2 Popper, by Bryan Magee (Collins, London, 1973) in the series Fontana Modern Masters.

3 Later published as “The Poverty of Historicism.” Routledge & Kegan Paul, London. 1957.

4 “The Open Society and Its Enemies” Vol. 2 Chapter 25. Page 265.

5 See “The Philosophy of Karl Popper” Vol. I, page 25.

6 “The Philosophy of Karl Popper” page 89, Popper says “after all it had been in part a criticism of Marxism that had started me, in 1919, on my way to Logik der Forschung.“

7 Ibid. Page 71.

8 “Conjectures and Refutations” page 198.

9 He would insist with characteristic verbalism on using the word “demarcates.“

10 1959 “The Logic of Scientific Discovery:’

11 “The Philosophy of Karl Popper” P. 118.

12 Ibid. Page 137.

13 Scientists also make predictions of this kind in relation to the growth or decline of population, earthquakes, typhoons, ecological disasters, etc.

14 “The Philosophy of Karl Popper.” Vol. 1. Page 27.

15 Popper agrees that “Marx himself was one of the first to emphasize the importance, for the social sciences, of these unintended consequences”. See “Conjectures and Refutations” Page 342.

16 This is well discussed by Watkins, J.W.N.’ “The Unity of Popper's Thought” in The Philosophy of Karl Popper. Vol. I. Page 371–412.Google Scholar

17 “Popper” by Bryan Magee. Page 77.

18 “Conjectures and Refutations” Page 370.

19 Popper, K.: “The Poverty of Historicism”. Page 68.Google Scholar

20 Later published in “Conjectures and Refutations” Page 364-384.

21 Popper says “By the word ‘our’ I mean the free world of the Atlantic community - especially England, the United States, the Scandinavian countries and Switzerland, and the outposts of this world in the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand.“

22 See Charles Dickens: “Our Mutual Friend” Book I, Chapter XI.