Karl Popper’s Critique of Historicism, the Historical School, and the Contemporary Debate

Abstract

Popper’s name is usually associated with the idea of open society and the deductive hypothetical method. Now, barely three years have passed since Sir Karl’s death, it looks as though the memory about both of these concepts, as well as Popper’s name itself, are almost equally dead. Popper’s philosophy of science as well as his social philosophy are commonly considered things of the past. Such a judgement, though harsh to Popper and his philosophy, does not seem to bother too many Western philosophers, always very sceptical of Popper’s philosophy, and of his own robust self, anyway. What is far more interesting is that similar attitude has been adopted by intellectuals in Central and Eastern Europe, who, apparently at least, have had most reasons to follow his teaching.