PHIL 2301 Lecture Notes - Pseudoscience, Karl Popper, Falsifiability
Document Summary
Popper wants to distinguish the difference between science and pseudo-science: science is distinguished from pseudo-science- or from metaphysics"- by its empirical method, which is essentially inductive, processing from observation or experiment. The latter method may be exemplified by astrology, with its stupendous mass of empirical evidence based on observation- on horoscopes and biographics. Popper focuses on four main theories: einstein"s theory of relativity (most important), Marx"s theory of history, freud"s psycho-analysis, and alfred adler"s so-called individual psychology : these theories appeared to be able to explain practically everything that happened within the fields to which they referred. The study of any of them seemed to have the effect of an intellectual conversion or revelation, opening your eyes to a new truth hidden from those not yet initiated. The more a theory forbids, the better it is: a theory which is not refutable by any conveyable event is non-scientific.
