Poverty of Historicism

Name: Poverty of Historicism
Price: 12.18 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780415278461

ISBN-10: 0415278465

ISBN-13: 9780415278461

Edition: 2nd 2002 (Revised)

Authors: Karl R. Popper

List price: $21.95

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Description:

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.

Book details

List price: $21.95
Edition: 2nd
Copyright year: 2002
Publisher: Routledge
Publication date: 3/29/2002
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 176
Size: 5.04" wide x 7.80" long x 0.55" tall
Weight: 0.440
Language: English

Karl Popper (1902-94). Philosopher, born in Vienna. One of the most influential and controversial thinkers of the twentieth century.Jeremy Shearmur is Reader in Philosophy at the Australian National University



Historical Note


Preface


Introduction



The Anti-Naturalistic Doctrines of Historicism



Generalization



Experiment



Novelty



Complexity



Inexactitude of Prediction



Objectivity and Valuation



Holism



Intuitive Understanding



Quantitative Methods



Essentialism versus Nominalism



The Pro-Naturalistic Doctrines of Historicism



Comparison with Astronomy. Long-Term Forecasts and Large-Scale Forecasts



The Observational Basis



Social Dynamics



Historical Laws



Historical Prophecy versus Social Engineering



The Theory of Historical Development



Interpreting versus Planning Social Change



Conclusion of the Analysis



Criticism of the Anti-Naturalistic Doctrines



Practical Aims of this Criticism



The Technological Approach to Sociology



Piecemeal versus Utopian Engineering



The Unholy Alliance with Utopianism



Criticism of Holism



The Holistic Theory of Social Experiments



The Variability of Experimental Conditions



Are Generalizations Confined to Periods?



Criticism of the Pro-Naturalistic Doctrines



Is there a Law of Evolution? Laws and Trends



The Method of Reduction. Causal Explanation. Prediction and Prophecy



The Unity of Method



Theoretical and Historical Sciences



Situational Logic in History. Historical Interpretation



The Institutional Theory of Progress



Conclusion: The Emotional Appeal of Historicism


Index