The Poverty of Historicism (Routledge Classics) Kindle Edition

by Karl Popper (Author)

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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.

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Product Details

File Size: 1214 KB
Print Length: 178 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0415278465
Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 4 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
Publisher: Routledge; 2 edition (September 5, 2013)
Publication Date: September 5, 2013
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00AZ4UMF4
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ByA customeron May 3, 2004

Format: Paperback

Do you have a deep down, hard to enunciate, disquiet with the level of debate in the broad area of social theory and "social engineering"? Do you feel that many of the claims and pronouncements made by social theorists (of any political disposition) are unjustified, but do not really know why you feel that way? If so, this book is a useful starting point for an examination of the problem.
In it, Popper develops the argument that "Historicism" (the term has more than one meaning in different contexts) as he defines it is a flawed approach, and that it is not a justifiable base for the sweeping claims of the historicist. To Popper, historicism is the concept that, by examination of history, we are able to define the rules that govern social change and hence are able to predict those changes. His initial impetus to look into this area was a critical evaluation of Marx - see his essay "How I became a philosopher without really trying" published in "All life is problem solving".
In its simplest form, Popper's argument is the observation that observation of the past does not allow one to accurately predict the future. This may seem to be a fairly obvious statement, but it is worth keeping in mind as he develops the various arguments that make up the case for and against historicism.
Popper's philosophy is often overlooked, perhaps because he attempts to limit himself to goals that he can reasonably achieve. He is a very prominent figure in the philosophy of science, and much of his epistemology relates to the methodology of the empirical sciences, and hence to direct observation, and the relationship of observation to development and testing of theories. Perhaps because he is not too ambitious, his philosophy is less "sexy". It is, however, eminently reasonable, and avoids many of the great stumbling blocks of traditional Western philosophy - for example, the problem of induction and infinite regress.
This book is non-technical, and is accessible to those with little formal philosophical training. It addresses the dominant paradigm in social engineering, and suggests why we may be unhappy with that paradigm.

22 comments 54 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

The fallacy of Utopian Engineering

ByEsther Nebenzahlon October 18, 2002

Format: Paperback

Sir Popper is considered one of the most important thinkers in the area of philosophy of science. "The Poverty of Historicism" despite its complexity, carries a fundamental simple message: prediction over the course of history (its social and economic implications) is nothing more than a fantasy, an illusion. And this assertion is based on the principle that the events/persons responsible for changes are themselves affected by these same changes. It is Heisenberg's principle of uncertainty applied to social sciences!
Historicism is the theory that history develops itself according to pre-determined, inexorable laws with a fixed objective or end. Fascism and communism were laid upon these presuppositions, and the course fo history has proven the fallacy (therefore poverty) of such assumptions. The attempt to have a holistic approach by eliminating individual differences through "brain washing" is incompatible with critical thought, and although it will bring about a concentration of power it will also cause an erosion of knowledge. The Poverty of Historicism becomes a poverty of imagination, of the ability of critical judgement and analysis. Historicism, according to Karl Popper preposterously assumes the postion of having discovered the problem of "change," but revolutions are not unique to our modern era and the metaphysical speculation of what constitutes "change" has been addressed since the time of Heraclitus.
The goal of applying scientific methods with the same accuracy and predictability as those in theoretical physics is bound to end in failure when it concerns the course of history. The influence of the prediction upon the predicted events is here being termed as the "Oedipus effect." Physics can arrive at universally valid uniformities, whereas sociology must be contented with the intuitive understanding of unique events, and of the role they play in particular situations, occuring within particular struggles of interests, tendencies and destinies. If sociological laws determine the degree of anything, they will do so only in very vague terms, and will permit, at the best, a very rough scaling.
Karl Popper who was a fierce advocate of democrary and social critiscim, dedicated this book to all of those who have been victims to the fascist and communist belief in the inexorable laws of historical destiny.

0Comment 44 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Most Recent Customer Reviews

Complex, but fascinating.

Great book for a deeper understanding of the historicist mindset along with their strengths and weaknesses. Recommended for those with background in philosophy and social sciences.

Published 2 months ago by Michael J Wurth

Five Stars

One of the most important debates of the XX Century and an indispensable guide for the XXI

Published 1 year ago by Enrique De La Torre

Must Reading

Boring as Hades, but most reading in this modern world. Has influenced my thinking tremendously.

Published 1 year ago by James A. Brannan

Science is Falsifiable; Theology and Philosophy are Not

Karl Popper in The Poverty of Historicism, provides a fruitful analysis into a group of traditions he calls "historicism.Read more

Published 1 year ago by txgsu43

Lessons for today

Although the original paper that this book was based on was written over eighty years ago, The Poverty of Historicism contains many important ideas that are still relevant today.Read more

Published 1 year ago by johno

Required reading

Apart from its historic importance as a classic work, this book is very relevant to today's world, which is no less full of irrational ideologues both claiming to save democracy...Read more

Published on September 17, 2014 by Caveat Emptor

Because It's Popper.

Popper goes beyond physics and philosophy, beyond critical reasoning into the essence of thought. You'll love it if you love Popper.

Published on January 18, 2014 by John P. Borders

An opportunity lost

The Poverty of Historicism refuted the major arguments which propped up the myth of historical determinism, possibly the most damaging myth of modern times.Read more

Published on March 2, 2012 by Rafe Champion

Great book

For Popper's fans, this is a great reading. It's a classic, and the philosopher of science makes his point about historicism.
Excellent choice!

Published on October 5, 2010 by Klug

It is impossible to know and control what people think (B. Spinoza)

In this book, Karl Popper explains his vision on the course of history, on historical determinism, and on the theories of Descartes, Poincaré and Duhem.

Published on May 23, 2010 by Luc REYNAERT

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