Karl Popper
Karl Popper
Sir Karl Raimund Popper CH FBA FRSwas an Austrian-British philosopher and professor. He is generally regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of science of the 20th century...
NationalityAustrian
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth28 July 1902
CountryAustria
Karl Popper quotes about
obstacles problem raises
Every solution of a problem raises new unsolved problems.
order criticism tradition
My thesis is that what we call 'science' is differentiated from the older myths not by being something distinct from a myth, but by being accompanied by a second-order tradition-that of critically discussing the myth. ... In a certain sense, science is myth-making just as religion is.
mistake interesting objective-truth
Our aim as scientists is objective truth; more truth, more interesting truth, more intelligible truth. We cannot reasonably aim at certainty. Once we realize that human knowledge is fallible, we realize also that we can never be completely certain that we have not made a mistake.
happiness fighting inner-peace
Philosophers should consider the fact that the greatest happiness principle can easily be made an excuse for a benevolent dictatorship. We should replace it by a more modest and more realistic principle - the principle that the fight against avoidable misery should be a recognized aim of public policy, while the increase of happiness should be left, in the main, to private initiative.
history
There is no history, only histories.
knowledge men quests
It is not his possession of knowledge, of irrefutable truth, that makes the man of science, but his persistent and recklessly critical quest for truth.
gratitude humility math
We are social creatures to the inmost centre of our being. The notion that one can begin anything at all from scratch, free from the past, or unindebted to others, could not conceivably be more wrong.
effort may rationalism
I may be wrong and you may be right, and by an effort, we may get nearer to the truth
spring trouble impatience
Our greatest troubles spring from something that is as admirable as it is dangerous ... our impatience to better the lot of our fellows.
trying problem propose
Whenever we propose a solution to a problem, we ought to try as hard as we can to overthrow our solution, rather than defend it.
names tolerance should
We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant.
real careers intelligence
Instead of encouraging the student to devote himself to his studies for the sake of studying, instead of encouraging in him a real love for his subject and for inquiry, he is encouraged to study for the sake of his personal career; he is led to acquire only such knowledge as is serviceable in getting him over the hurdles which he must clear for the sake of his advancement.
paradise-on-earth keeping-promises kept-promises
Those who promise us paradise on earth never produced anything but a hell.
criticism myth
Science must begin with myths, and with the criticism of myths.