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Publication details

Publisher: Springer

Place: Berlin

Year: 2009

Pages: 287-303

Series: Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science

ISBN (Hardback): 9781402093371

Full citation:

Jeff Kochan, "Popper's communitarianism", in: Rethinking Popper, Berlin, Springer, 2009

Abstract

In this chapter, I argue that Karl Popper was a communitarian philosopher. This will surprise some readers. Liberals often tout Popper as one of their champions. Indeed, there is no doubt that Popper shared much in common with liberals. However, I will argue that Popper rejected a central, though perhaps not essential, pillar of liberal theory, namely, individualism. This claim may seem to contradict Popper's professed methodological individualism. Yet I argue that Popper was a methodological individualist in name only. In fact, methodological individualism faded from Popper's vocabulary as he moved institutions and situational analysis more firmly to centre-stage. Popper's focus on institutions and situations constitutes what I call his communitarianism. If my interpretation is correct, then theorists in the socio logy of scientific knowledge and communitarian epistemology should reconsider their long-standing distrust of Popper's philosophy. Indeed, they may have much to gain by treating Popper as a friend rather than a foe.

Cited authors

Publication details

Publisher: Springer

Place: Berlin

Year: 2009

Pages: 287-303

Series: Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science

ISBN (Hardback): 9781402093371

Full citation:

Jeff Kochan, "Popper's communitarianism", in: Rethinking Popper, Berlin, Springer, 2009