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Theory of Basic Statements Dissertation
Paul Feyerabend's dissertation on "basic statements" earns him his doctoral degree. This also marks the beginning of his relationship with Karl Popper, his supervisor at the University of Cambridge. He chose Popper after his original supervisor, Ludwig Wittgenstein, passed away. Popper and Feyerabend's relationship would be long and tumultuous. -
Endorsing Scientific Realism
Feyerabend published two papers early on in his work, "An Attempt at a Realistic Interpretation of Experience" and "Complementarity." Both of which endorsed scientific realism while also paying homage to Feyerabend's old supervisor, Karl Popper. He supported his realist ideals in a similar fashion to Popper's falsification. -
How To Be A Good Empiricist
Feyerabend published "How To Be A Good Empiricist," seeking to share his limited view point on acceptable empiricism. At this point in time he was starting to break away from empiricist ideals but still making an attempt to stay within the reins of acceptable scientific theory. Reference:
Feyerabend, Paul. “How to Be a Good Empiricist.” Feyerabend (1963a) - Encyclopedia of Scientonomy, 1963, scientowiki.com/Feyerabend_(1963a). -
Empiricist No More
At this point in time Feyerabend had given up trying to support an empirical viewpoint. While in the past he had supported the works of his mentor, Feyerabend began publishing material that openly challenged Karl Popper. The first such paper was "Consolations for the specialist." -
Against Method
Feyerabend published his book, "Against Method." This text introduced his theory of "epistemological anarchism." The idea behind the theory is that the scientific method does not exist, and scientists should just play with whatever cards they are dealt. Went to revise and republish this book twice, the first in 1989 and the second in 1993. References:
Feyerabend, Paul. “Against Method.” Feyerabend (1975a) - Encyclopedia of Scientonomy, 1975, scientowiki.com/Feyerabend_(1975a). -
Relativism
In support of relativism, Feyerabend releases "Science in a Free Society." He continues to write about and indirectly promote relativism for the rest of his able life. Reference:
Feyerabend, Paul. “Science in a Free Society.” Feyerabend (1978a) - Encyclopedia of Scientonomy, 1978, scientowiki.com/Feyerabend_(1978a). -
End of Life
Feyerabend passes away in 1994 due to an inoperable brain tumor. He supported an opposition to objectivism and epistemological anarchism for the majority of the end of his life. Many disagree with Feyerabend's ideals but nonetheless his mark on the world of psychology was left in his passing. Reference:
Preston, John. “Paul Feyerabend.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 24 Aug. 2020, plato.stanford.edu/entries/feyerabend/.