The Logic of Scientific Discovery (Routledge Classics) 2nd Edition by Karl Popper (PDF)

Description

Described by the philosopher A.J. Ayer as a work of ‘great originality and power’, this book revolutionized contemporary thinking on science and knowledge. Ideas such as the now legendary doctrine of ‘falsificationism’ electrified the scientific community, influencing even working scientists, as well as post-war philosophy. This astonishing work ranks alongside The Open Society and Its Enemies as one of Popper’s most enduring books and contains insights and arguments that demand to be read to this day.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐The Logic of Scientific Discovery is a deserved classic. Rarely has the genius of one man been able to so transform the tradition of scientific interpretation as Popper did. But since Popper has so many contemporary advocates I thought in this review I could suggest some problems or misinterpretations in his thought. Others have already explained his contributions with enthusiasm.First, Popper is often seen as advocating a skeptical way of life–the principle of falsification is made to mean that one should always try to falsify one’s one own theories and worldview. There may be some support for this philosophy in the Open Society but not in the Logic of Scientific Discovery. Here, Popper is explicit that he is not proffering a philosophy of life but a methodology for science.Another related misconception is that Popper does not contend that his logic is the way science has historically progressed. The Logic of Scientific Discovery is explicit that it is normative. It argues not how science has progressed but how it should progress. The fact that Popper was so personally authoritarian that the line among his students was that his other major work should have been called “The Open Society by One of Its Enemies” seems eerily consistent with a philosophy professor dictating to scientists how they should conduct their work.And here is where I find the work someone dated. Popper argues against the inductivism epitomized by John Maynard Keynes but seems oblivious to the work of statisticians like Ronald Fisher. Fisher, with his method of randomized experimentation was able to show the validity of inductive causal inferences. In the 1970s statisticians like Rubin extended these inductive arguments to observational studies. Meta-analyses using Bayesian inference have also shown then value of induction. Obviously, Popper cannot be held responsible for not recognizing the Rubin causal model. His inattention to Fisher, however, is troubling since he was a contemporary.Most social science continues to progress within the Fisher/Neyman framework along with Bayesian advances. To be honest, Popper’s work in this domain can seem as passé as the inductivism of Keynes.That the Logic is a work of genius is indubitable. I would argue, however, that falsification is not the one valid method for science. A fortiori it is not a philosophy of life all human beings must follow.

⭐I found the book virtually unreadable, despite having some familiarity with the ‘technical’ terminology of formal philosophy and having read quite a few of its major works. Popper’s treatment seems aimed at those who already have a good grounding in formal philosophy. Unfortunately for the general reader, much academic philosophical writing uses obscure technical precision in its arguments, and assumes a knowledge of its largely non-intuitive jargon. Popper also seems fixated on putting down his philosophical opponents, which is another turnoff for the general reader who does not have either the knowledge or patience to unpick academic squabbles.Both aspects are a turnoff for general readers who simply want to get the gist of the writer’s arguments and positions.Despite these drawbacks, the book does give a reasonable account of important concepts such as the falsifiability of theories as the prime criterion for rejecting them – but you have to endure a mass of verbiage and ‘philosophy speak’ to get to grips with the concepts in Popper’s book.

⭐This is a seminal work in the philosophy of empiricism. A must-read for anyone who considers themselves educated in science. Beware comments from nutcase pseudoscience shills such as “Archimedes_tritium” below (“…the foundation and original source it flows from is now identified and recognized to be fouled…”). Time and again it has been shown that science never “proves” anything; it can only show things to be false. Anyone who disputes that is whistling in the dark because he is afraid to think that we might not actually be masters of our own universe.

⭐We are in 1934, Popper is remembering us that when a scientist finishes writing down a theory the community starts a race to falsify the theory so to find progress. In a sort of recursion, Popper starts with the hypothesis that a good theory is therefore a theory that can be falsified. This subtle focus on falsification allows us to demarc what is in the realms of science and what is superstition (works in hindsight). Brillant. Guess what he does as soon he finishes writing down his theory? Yes, he goes about trying to falsify it comparing with conflicting theories. He is deeply influenced by quantum mechanics engaging in long discussions around probability and logic to construct adventurous theories (his own definition). Takeaway: was pleasing to see a philosopher using precise terms and simple language.

⭐People should read it!! Really a open minder…

⭐I’ve come back to this several times, getting something new out of it each time I read it. Sure, it’s not a thrilling fantasy or a fantastic thriller, but I don’t read it for the entertainment. I read it for the enlightenment.

⭐Popper, a member of the elite group, “the Vienna circle,” descents from Logical Positivism also known as Logical Empiricism, when he asserts that “the verification Principle,” of which, all positivism rests, collapses if it can’t sustain the scrutiny of falsification. The obvious contradiction emerges when one ask, “How does one verify the verification principle?” This is a clear example of “begging the question.” Karl Popper knew this. Logical Positivism is entrenched in the sciences of modern America. “The Logic of Scientific Discovery” is a fascinating read and over turns the junk science of post modernism which often passes for science. Even empirical physics was abandoned over a 100 years ago. Popper requires scientists do the hard work that is required to reach a valid conclusion. This is a wonderful work for anyone interested in truth, everyone else, don’t waste your time.

⭐The printing in this book is a bit hard to read. I wonder if this was a “print on demand” book and the laser printer was not performing well. The book content, on the other hand, is essential to anyone wanting to understand the philosophy of physics. Popper addresses many key issues.

⭐The perfect gift for a scientific mind

⭐If you’re buying this then you already know all about it.

⭐It is not a good quality book in terms of materials.The content it’s great and opening the minds of all the narrow minds in the world. Really complicated for my poor mind but, hopefully I got the main points.

⭐Book arrived as expected and on time.

⭐Can’t go wrong.But small doses are the best.

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