What Karl Popper thinks about optimism

@karl-popper · 17 positions · On ppll ↗

Austrian-British philosopher of science (1902 to 1994), professor at the London School of Economics; author of The Logic of Scientific Discovery and The Open Society and Its Enemies.

Karl Popper did not write this page.

We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.

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Only Karl Popper on optimism. See everyone on optimism

2 dated positions, c. 1963–1968, in their own words. Our reading of what Karl Popper has said — not written or endorsed by them.

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1. c. 1963–1968

   Our readingThe Utopian attitude is opposed to reasonableness

   Their wordsThe Utopianist attitude, therefore, is opposed to the attitude of reasonableness.

   ↗Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge (Routledge Classics, 2002 edition)books.google.com All 17 from this book

3. c. 1963–1968

   Our readingRather than heaven on earth, we can make life a little less terrible and a little less unjust in each generation

   Their wordsWhat I believe we can do instead is to make life a little less terrible and a little less unjust in each generation.

   ↗Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge (Routledge Classics, 2002 edition)books.google.com All 17 from this book