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Birth and Early Life
Feyerabend, born in Vienna, Austria, in 1924, emerged from a humble background and a working-class family. His early life was marked by chaos, living through the Austrian Civil War, the rise of the National Socialist Party, and German/Austrian unification. Despite these tumultuous events, Feyerabend focused on his physics, astronomy, and music studies. This dedication led to his enlistment into the Nazi and a successful military career, where he rose from a private to a lieutenant. -
War Injury
In 1945, he was temporarily paralyzed by a gunshot from Russian forces, marking the end of his military career in tandem with the war's conclusion. -
PhD Completion
In 1951, Feyerabend earned his PhD in philosophy, a testament to his unwavering commitment to his studies. His time at the Kraft Circle was a turning point in his philosophical development, where his ideas began to take shape and evolve through interactions with Viktor Kraft and Karl Popper. -
Early Academic Work
Given his interest in physics and astronomy, he published papers in quantum mechanics and theoretical physics in 1954; towards the end of the 50's, Feyerabend was slowly veering away from his old framework and started criticizing the positivist movement. -
Move To America
In 1959, he accepted a permanent position as a lecturer at UC Berkeley. He was influenced by the "free speech" movement of the time and veered away from the scientific and philosophical establishment by attacking and extensively criticizing the same belief systems he once had. -
Against Method is Published
In 1975, Feyerabend's first and most iconic book, 'Against Method,' was published. This landmark work stirred significant controversy and sparked intense discussion among academics, philosophers, and scientists, underscoring the profound impact of his ideas. -
Science in a Free Society
Another of his works worth mentioning is Science in a Free Society, published in 1978. This book contained a detailed response to his critics and laid more rigid frameworks for epistemological anarchism. The book was more of a social and political commentary than a philosophical one. Still, it remained relevant for many years in both arenas. -
Later Life and Death
Throughout his life, Feyerabend remained a controversial figure in philosophy and science, earning the moniker of 'science's worst enemy.' However, a closer look at his ideas shows that he was a scientist at heart, challenging academia and science to innovate. He passed away in Switzerland in 1994, leaving behind a legacy that continues to challenge and inspire. A quick recap of his life and achievements
https://youtu.be/oovqaJSOVLc?si=lMar4VnhaqQSY5vW