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Feyerabends Background information
I believe it is important to note key details prior to Paul Feyerabend mayor work to give insight on his inspirations. Born in Vienna, Austria in 1924, was in a key historical location during a significant time period. During World War II, he served in the German Army and earned decorations and was wounded in battle. Post war he returned to Vienna to study physics until he met famous Philosopher Karl Popper and Ludwig Wittigenstein. In 1952, Feyerabend decided to study under Popper. -
Consolations for the Specialist
In 1970 Paul Feyerabend published a paper “Consolations for the Specialist where he introduced 2 new principles. Feyerabend believe we need to give theories a chance to grow and developed. To see the full potential in a theory one must not toss it aside once troubles present within the theory it self. Which he calls the principle of tenacity. The Second principle was the proliferation of ideas where he believed, scientist should always make new ideas and propose new theories. -
Against Method
Paul Feyerabend published his infamous work "Against Method", where he outlines his opposition to all rules that govern science. Introducing his scientific method that can be described as "anything goes". -
"Anything Goes"
"Anything goes" was the hallmark of his work in "Against Method". Here he coined the term epistemological anarchism, Where he states scientist are opportunistic and creative and science is an aspect of human creativity. Therefore, to put rules to science is to shackle human thought and progress. He believed Science was more about challenging the status quo, and praises Galileo in his book. -
Video Interview With Paul Feyerabend
Here is an interview with Paul Feyerabend where he explains his key concepts and philosophy before his death. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GrVlLYgeZ8 -
Works Cited
Feyerabend, Paul. Against Method: Outline of an Anarchistic
Theory of Knowledge. Humanities Press, 1975.
Godfrey-Smith, Peter. Theory and Reality: An Introduction to the
Philosophy of Science (Science and Its Conceptual
Foundations Series). 1st ed., University of Chicago Press,
2003.
Preston, John, "Paul Feyerabend", The Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy, Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2020/entries/feyerabend/. .