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Birth
Paul Feyerabend was born in Vienna, Austria. -
Service
Drafted into German Army, Pioneer Corps -
Completion of service with injuries
Shot during Russian retreat, damaged spinal nerves leaving him temporarily partially paralyzed -
University
Attended the University of Vienna, Theoretical Physics. At this time, he considered himself a Positivist -
Doctoral Degree
Received Doctorate in philosophy with the thesis subject of “protocol sentences”, sentences that compromise foundations of scientific knowledge -
A move to Cambridge
Moved to England to study under Ludwig Wittgenstein but Wittgenstein died before his arrival. He then chose Karl Popper to be his supervisor at the London School of Economics -
Back to Vienna
Returned to Vienna despite Popper’s attempt to extend his scholarship and offer to become his research assistant. -
Publication
Summarized Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations, which was accepted and published in The Philosophical Review. -
Realism
Published “An Attempt at a Realistic Interpretation of Experience” where he spoke against positivist views and embraced realism -
Berkeley, California
Took on a permanent position at the University of California, Berkeley -
"Science Without Experience"
Published “Science Without Experience” in which he argued that experience is not necessary in the development of scientific theories. -
"Against Method"
Published “Against Method” in which he argued that there is no all-encompassing required methodology to scientific inquiry. Epistemological Anarchy! https://youtu.be/oovqaJSOVLc -
"Science In A Free Society"
Published “Science In A Free Society”, a portion of the book was a compilation of responses to the negative criticism of “Against Method” he titled, “Conversations With Illiterates”. Additionally, this work was one that Feyerabend greatly regretted writing. -
"Farewell To Reason"
Published “Farewell To Reason” which was a compilation of articles in which he expressed that relativism is the solution to conflicts of belief and ways of life. -
Retirement
Retired for the University of California, Berkeley -
Brain Tumor
Hospitalized with an inoperable brain tumor -
Death
He died, after complications with a brain tumor, in Genolier, Switzerland