Karl Popper

By Sepho4446

  • Karl Popper (1902-1994) The Problem of Demarcation

    In 1934, Popper published The Logic of Scientific Discovery, where he introduced the problem of demarcation, which seeks to distinguish science from non-science. He argued that falsifiability, or the capacity for a theory to be proven wrong, is the criterion that separates scientific theories from non-scientific ones. This idea was revolutionary because it challenged the then-dominant view of verificationism, which held that a theory is scientific if it can be empirically verified.

  • Karl Popper (1902-1994) Theory and Experiment

    According to Popper, for a theory to be considered scientific, it must be testable and refutable through empirical experiments. He critiques the traditional inductive approach and instead advocates for a deductive methodology where scientific theories are bold conjectures that can be rigorously tested and potentially falsified, emphasizing the provisional nature of scientific knowledge and the importance of continuous testing and critical scrutiny.

  • Karl Popper (1902-1994) Falsifiability as a Criterion of Science

    Popper's concept of falsifiability was further elaborated in the English edition of The Logic of Scientific Discovery published in 1959. He argued that scientific theories are conjectures that can never be conclusively proven but can be tested through attempts to falsify them. This view has profound implications for the scientific method, emphasizing critical testing and the provisional nature of scientific knowledge

  • Karl Popper (1902-1994) Conjectures and Refutations

    Karl Popper's Conjectures and Refutations (1963) elaborates on his philosophy of science. Popper argues that science advances through a cycle of bold conjectures followed by rigorous attempts to refute them. Instead, he sees scientific knowledge as provisional, always subject to revision considering new evidence. Stephen R.C. Hicks, a contemporary philosopher, has explained and expanded on Popper's ideas, highlighting their relevance and impact on modern scientific practices​.