Just Announced: The Children's & YA Book Awards Winners Explore Now
The Poverty of Historicism / Edition 2

The Poverty of Historicism / Edition 2

by Karl Popper
The Poverty of Historicism / Edition 2
Add to Wishlist
ISBN-10:
0415278465
ISBN-13:
9780415278461
Pub. Date:
02/21/2002
Publisher:
Taylor & Francis
ISBN-10:
0415278465
ISBN-13:
9780415278461
Pub. Date:
02/21/2002
Publisher:
Taylor & Francis
The Poverty of Historicism / Edition 2

The Poverty of Historicism / Edition 2

by Karl Popper

Overview

On its publication in 1957, The Poverty of Historicism was hailed by Arthur Koestler as 'probably the only book published this year which will outlive the century.'
A devastating criticism of fixed and predictable laws in history, Popper dedicated the book to all those 'who fell victim to the fascist and communist belief in Inexorable Laws of Historical Destiny.' Short and beautifully written, it has inspired generations of readers, intellectuals and policy makers. One of the most important books on the social sciences since the Second World War, it is a searing insight into the ideas of this great thinker.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780415278461
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Publication date: 02/21/2002
Series: Routledge Classics
Edition description: REISSUE
Pages: 176
Product dimensions: 5.06(w) x 7.81(h) x (d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Karl Popper (1902-94). Philosopher, born in Vienna. One of the most influential and controversial thinkers of the twentieth century.

Table of Contents

HISTORICAL NOTE
PREFACE
Introduction
I. The Anti-Naturalistic Doctrines of Historicism
1. Generalization2. Experiment
3. Novelty
4. Complexity
5. Inexactitude of Prediction
6. Objectivity and Valuation
7. Holism
8. Intuitive Understanding
9. Quantitative Valuation
10. Essentialism versus Nominalism
II. The Pro-Naturalistic Doctrines of Historicism
11. Comparison with Astronomy. Long-Term Forecasts and Large-Scale Forecasts
12. The Observational Basis
13. Social Dynamics
14. Historical Laws
15. Historical Prophecy versus Social Engineering
16. The Theory of Historical Development
17. Interpreting versus Planning Social Change
18. Conclusion of the Analysis
III. Criticism of the Anti-Naturalistic Doctrines
19. Practical Aims of this Criticism
20. The Technological Approach to Sociology
21. Piecemeal versus Utopian Engineering
22. The Unholy Alliance with Utopianism
23. Criticism of Holism
24. The Holistic Theory of Social Experiments
25. The Variability of Experimental Conditions
26. Are Generalizations Confined to Periods?
IV. Criticism of the Pro-Naturalistic Doctrines
27. Is there a Law of Evolution? Law and Trends
28. The Method of Reduction. Causal Explanation. Prediction and Prophecy
29. The Unity of Method
30. Theoretical and Historical Sciences
31. Situational Logic in History. Historical Interpretation
32. The Institutional Theory of Progress
33. Conclusion. The Emotional Appeal of Historicism
INDEX
From the B&N Reads Blog
Page 1 of

Customer Reviews