Popper's Critical Rationalism: A Philosophical Investigation (Routledge Studies in the Philosophy of Science)

Popper’s Critical Rationalism presents Popper’s views on science, knowledge, and inquiry, and examines the significance and tenability of these in light of recent developments in philosophy of science, philosophy of probability, and epistemology. It develops a fresh and novel philosophical position on science, which employs key insights from Popper while rejecting other elements of his philosophy. Central theses include: Crucial questions about scientific method arise at the level of the group, rather than that of the individual. Although criticism is vital for science, dogmatism is important too. Belief in scientific theories is permissible even in the absence of evidence in their favour. The aim of science is to eliminate false theories. Critical rationalism can be understood as a form of virtue epistemology Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 8 Figures......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 1 Comprehensive Rationalism, Critical Rationalism, and Pancritical Rationalism......Page 14 2 Induction and Corroboration......Page 46 3 Corroboration and the Interpretation of Probability......Page 79 4 Corroboration, Tests, and Predictivism......Page 97 5 Corroboration and Duhem’s Thesis......Page 109 6 The Roles of Criticism and Dogmatism in Science: A Group Level View......Page 120 7 The Aim of Science and Its Evolution......Page 137 8 Thoughts and Findings......Page 153 Notes......Page 162 References......Page 180 Index......Page 192 Comprehensive Rationalism, Critical Rationalism, And Pancritical Rationalism -- Induction And Corroboration -- Corroboration And The Interpretation Of Probability -- Corroboration, Tests, And Predictivism -- Corroboration And Duhem's Thesis -- The Roles Of Criticism And Dogmatism In Science: A Group Level View -- The Aim Of Science And Its Evolution -- Thoughts And Findings. Darrell P. Rowbottom. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Presents Popper's views on science, knowledge, and inquiry, and examines the significance and tenability of these in light of various developments in philosophy of science, philosophy of probability, and epistemology.