The Myth of the Framework: In Defence of Science and Rationality

Description

In a career spanning sixty years, Sir Karl Popper has made some of the most important contributions to the twentieth century discussion of science and rationality. In so doing, he has attacked intellectual fashions like positivism which exaggerate what science and rationality have done, and, at the same time, intellectual fashions like relativism which denigrate what science and rationality can do. Popper regards scientific knowledge as one of the greatest and most creative of human achievements. But he regards it, at the same time, as inherently fallible and subject to revision for these reasons, The Myth of the Framework is not a defence of the scientific method, expert knowledge, Big Science', or the scientific institution - but a defence of science and the rational tradition against fashionable distortions of its aims and ideals. The essays in this book discuss such issues as the aims of science, the role that it plays in our civilization, the moral responsibiliby of the scientist, the function of a university, and the perennial choice between reason and revolution. Popper emphasizes that science and rationality are what enable humans to free themselves from prejudices - a slow process that involves much work and many disappointments.

..."designed primarily to communicate Popper's philosophical ideas to a wider audience of interested scientists and educated lay persons. . .."-"Teaching Philosophy, December 1995 "Whether he is discussing physics, sociology, history, or political theory, Popper's basic concern is to develop a model of scientific rationality and to show how it is not only a theory of knowledge but also an attitude towards human life, human morals, and democracy."-"Teaching Philosophy, December 1994 ..."this volume would be very useful in introductory courses in the philosophy of science and science studies."-"Teaching Philosophy, December 1995 ...an inportant collection that no one interested in Popper's philosophy can afford to