Karl Popper challenges the belief that history follows inexorable laws or predictable patterns toward a fixed destination. He defines historicism as an approach to the social sciences that assumes historical prediction is its primary goal, achievable by discovering the trends or rhythms underlying the evolution of society. Popper argues that the course of human history is strongly influenced by the growth of knowledge. Because we cannot scientifically predict what we will know tomorrow, we cannot predict the future of history itself. He advocates for "piecemeal social engineering" over "holistic" or "Utopian" planning, contending that large-scale attempts to reshape society based on historical prophecy lead to authoritarianism.
This book serves students of political philosophy and researchers in the social sciences who seek to understand the methodological foundations of liberal democracy. Readers analyze the logical fallacies within deterministic systems like Marxism and fascism. By finishing this text, a reader gains a framework for distinguishing between scientific trends and absolute laws. They walk away with a defense of individual agency and a technical rationale for why small, reversible social reforms are more effective and less dangerous than grand, sweeping revolutions.
- Published
- 1957
- Language
- EN
