Philosophy and the Real World: An Introduction to Karl Popper [Paperback]

Bryan Magee (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Open Court Publishing Company (June 19, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875484360
• ISBN-13: 978-0875484365
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #243,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magisterial introduction., November 22, 2002

By 

Luc REYNAERT (Beernem, Belgium) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philosophy and the Real World: An Introduction to Karl Popper (Paperback)

Bryan Magee summarizes in this small book superbly the work of Karl Popper: the elimination of the induction problem, the falsification criterion as a demarcation between science and non-science, the characterization of marxism as well as the Enlightment (the perfectibility of man) as historicisms, the responsibility of the individual.
The best possible introduction to the work of one of the most important philosophers of all times.

49 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars unended tribute., March 27, 2000

By 

Mauricio Diaz - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philosophy and the Real World: An Introduction to Karl Popper (Paperback)

Karl Popper was the celebrated author of a good number of philosophy of science books. Reading this book by B Magee on Pooper one can follow very complex and far reching concepts of the man with ease. The clearity in which Mr Magee explores the key ideas on history, science and methapisics of him decerves praise. The books could have been a tiresome account of Popper theories and abstract conceps but insted is an engaging narrative of ideas and their crucial inportance in the history of scientific discovery and the relation to history it self. Karl Pooper decerves to be read more and Brian Magee has given us to oportunity to know why. Magee knew Popper well (Confessions of a philosopher), and not only he loved him, but respect him most for his thoughts and inteligence. After reading this introduction of Popper ideas one can not help doing the same for both of them.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine Overview, August 25, 2007

By 

R. Albin (Ann Arbor, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philosophy and the Real World: An Introduction to Karl Popper (Paperback)

This is a lucid and concise overview of the philosophy of Karl Popper. Magee covers Popper's philosophy of science, philosophy of history, epistemology, and political philosophy in a series of well written chapters that also provide a reasonable amount of background information. The themes are Popper's emphasis on the provisional nature of knowledge, the important of vigorous criticism and falsification, constant questioning, and the importance of intellectual diversity. Magee is particularly concerned with demonstrating the underlying unity of Popper's thought and does a good job of connecting Popper's epistemology with his political philosophy. Magee's enthusiasm for Popper is obvious, perhaps to the extent of being a little uncritical. There are certainly precedents for Popper's fallibalist epistemology which Magee doesn't mention. Based on Magee's account, I don't think that Popper has really overcome the induction problem or that his evolutionism really rebuts empiricism.