Karl Popper Professional Philosopher and Public Intellectual

Karl R. Popper is widely regarded as one of the most influential 20th century philosophers. In this new biography, Weinert provides a comprehensive and accessible account of his life and work, also addressing Popper’s role as a public intellectual. Drawing on a wide range of sources and interviews with former colleagues and collaborators, he recounts not only the wide interest from the scientific community, but also the inspiration that politicians took from Popper’s work. The book surveys the vast and varied intellectual landscape of Popper's philosophical journey during his long career: from the natural and social sciences (physics, evolution, sociology) to political philosophy and the philosophy of mind. It pays significant attention to Popper’s critical method - i.e., the notion that ideas and institutions should be exposed to rigorous tests – the approach that led him to a fervent defence of objectivity, rationality and realism, against all forms of irrationalism, as well as a passionate advocacy of freedom, social justice and liberal democracy, against all forms of authoritarianism. The book brings Popper into focus as a modern Enlightenment philosopher.

Popper revolutionizes the philosophy of science.-  Popper becomes a defender of an open society.-  Popper revisits his philosophy of science.-  Why Popper defends indeterminism.-  Popper meets his Critics.- Popper reflects on the mind and the self.- Popper turns to Evolutionary Biology.-  Popper – the Public Intellectual.- Conclusion.- Bibliography.-Index.

Friedel Weinert is emeritus professor of the history and philosophy of science at the University of Bradford in the UK. He is the author of several books about the interactions of science and philosophy:  The Scientist as Philosopher (2004); Copernicus, Darwin and Freud (2009); The March of Time (2013); The Demons of Science (2016). He has also edited or co-edited the volumes: Laws of Nature (1995); Compendium of Quantum Physics (2009); and Evolution 2.0 (2012).