Considered one of the greatest philosophers of the 20th century, Karl Popper is mostly known for his contribution to philosophy based on his scrutiny on the scientific method. Popper played an important role in combining the work of science and philosophy in attempts to uncover the truth. When Popper becomes a reader in logic and the scientific method is where we begin to see the emergence of the Popper we know, especially in the development of his views regarding science and philosophy. Unlike every scientist, Karl Popper believed that science was all about falsification, the process of refuting one’s own theory, rather than searching for confirmation.
The presence of Karl Popper and his work in philosophy allowed for various scientists at …show more content…
Distinguishing the differences between science and pseudo-science can be problematic, which is why Popper decided to use Einstein’s Theory of Relativity versus Freud’s Theory of Psychoanalysis. As Popper observed the work of each of these scientists, he realized that in order to create their theories, they both had to take different scientific approaches. For example, Popper began to realize that Freud could make absolutely any data point work in favor of his theory. In his paper, Popper provided a case where a man would push a child in hopes of drowning them, or a case where that same man would sacrifice his life in attempts to save the child. Popper argues that Freud can make sense of both scenarios. To Freud, the justification for the man pushing the child can be seen because of his repression. In the case of the man saving the child, Freud states that it is because the man has reached sublimation. Unlike Freud, who would look at the past to explain the present, Einstein would look at the present and attempt to predict the …show more content…
When defined, fortune telling is the practice of predicting a person’s future by creating connections based on the information found around them. For example, certain practices of fortune telling consist of palmistry (the act of foreseeing someone’s future by reading their palm) to phrenology (the act of reading tea leaves, or consulting tarot cards). Fortune telling is rooted in the idea of providing vague information, the interpretation of unclear messages, or a statement of inevitable events. When we analyze the theory of fortune telling under Karl Popper’s standards, it is clear that it fails to meet them. To begin, fortune telling was created around magic and superstitions, two beliefs that search for confirmations around the world to prove their existence rather than to disprove it. When individuals interact with a fortune teller, it is quite easy to hear phrases such as “I sense that something extraordinary will occur”. This one simple statement is vague enough allowing it to be interpreted in various situations like getting promoted, starting a new relationship, or acing a difficult exam. Similarly to Freud’s theory, fortune telling modifies it’s theory based on the data point provided to reach confirmation instead of
The presence of Karl Popper and his work in philosophy allowed for various scientists at …show more content…
Distinguishing the differences between science and pseudo-science can be problematic, which is why Popper decided to use Einstein’s Theory of Relativity versus Freud’s Theory of Psychoanalysis. As Popper observed the work of each of these scientists, he realized that in order to create their theories, they both had to take different scientific approaches. For example, Popper began to realize that Freud could make absolutely any data point work in favor of his theory. In his paper, Popper provided a case where a man would push a child in hopes of drowning them, or a case where that same man would sacrifice his life in attempts to save the child. Popper argues that Freud can make sense of both scenarios. To Freud, the justification for the man pushing the child can be seen because of his repression. In the case of the man saving the child, Freud states that it is because the man has reached sublimation. Unlike Freud, who would look at the past to explain the present, Einstein would look at the present and attempt to predict the …show more content…
When defined, fortune telling is the practice of predicting a person’s future by creating connections based on the information found around them. For example, certain practices of fortune telling consist of palmistry (the act of foreseeing someone’s future by reading their palm) to phrenology (the act of reading tea leaves, or consulting tarot cards). Fortune telling is rooted in the idea of providing vague information, the interpretation of unclear messages, or a statement of inevitable events. When we analyze the theory of fortune telling under Karl Popper’s standards, it is clear that it fails to meet them. To begin, fortune telling was created around magic and superstitions, two beliefs that search for confirmations around the world to prove their existence rather than to disprove it. When individuals interact with a fortune teller, it is quite easy to hear phrases such as “I sense that something extraordinary will occur”. This one simple statement is vague enough allowing it to be interpreted in various situations like getting promoted, starting a new relationship, or acing a difficult exam. Similarly to Freud’s theory, fortune telling modifies it’s theory based on the data point provided to reach confirmation instead of