Karl Popper is recognized as one of the great proponents of scientific naturalism. In this book, he attempts to give a unified whole to three diverse sciences – physics, chemistry and biology. His logical structure of science is often called “the dialectical method” because it builds on dialectical arguments that assume three main premises – there are multiple modes of reality, matter consists of elementary particles and so on. Thus, all the concepts in these sciences can be analyzed using basic logical deductions. Following are some of his key works.
The Logic of Science: A Guide to the Inductive System (1947) – This is a basic textbook on the subject of logic. Popper maintains that every science can be explained by means of an extension of logic. In addition, he suggests a number of different models of logic, including syllogistic logic, entailment logic, logical induction, and postulates of knowledge. Unlike some of his predecessors, Karl Popper does not rely on the use of intuition, but he rejects the idea that the methods of induction and syllogistic deduction are necessary for science to carry on. Rather, he believes that science is able to proceed without the use of these methods.
On Dialectical Methodologies in Natural Science (eds) (1940) – Along with his mentor J. L. Frick, Popper examined various different methods of scientific investigation, and he applies his model of dialectical hypothesis to these programmes. He examines how different programmes serve to demarcate scientific facts from hypotheses, and he argues that only a dialectical methodology can account for the validity of empirical evidence. His aim in these books was to defend scientific research programmes against criticisms levelled at the methodology by his critics.
The Essential Problem of the Day (eds) (1949) – In this book Karl Popper presents his famous “ontic” argument. This refers to a dilemma which has been disputed since the time of Archimedes. According to Popper, the problem is whether science can distinguish between natural and attributed reality. According to him, given the prior existence of a priori concepts, all scientific theories become subject to empirical tests. From here he then criticises the methods of verification used by scientists.
A Few Considerations for the Advancement of Science (eds) – This book is a landmark in Karl Popper’s long and illustrious scientific career. It consists of ten volumes, the first seven volumes of which deal with logical science, including deductive and inductive sciences. Popper applies his deductive methodology to a wide range of natural sciences and hence presents his arguments in a logical manner. Parts two and three concentrate on historical science and focus on methodology. Parts four and five examine various problems in general philosophy of science and introduce natural science as a distinct field of study.
Falsifiability – A Guide to the Inductive Approach to Science (eds) – This book discusses the basic formalism of science and formalisms used in falsification. Popper argues that science should be based on a simplex (set of rules) and not on principles alone. It also advocates a strong falsifiability criterion (and shows how falsification occurs in the natural sciences more readily than in the physical or logical sciences). An excellent discussion of this complex topic.
The Fabric of Reality – On Falsifiability and the Problem of Valuation (eds) – This book develops a rich understanding of how falsification and the problem of valuation occur. Karl Popper applies the Popperian dialectical method to evaluate statements regarding reality. He also applies the idea of demarcation to explain how various scientific theories compare with each other and come to a definite conclusion. The aim of this text is to demonstrate how falsification and the problem of valuation arise from a logical perspective. Karl Popper thus provides an outstanding theoretical development on this important topic.
On Principles and their Application – Logic and Science as a Historical Experience (eds) – Book Review – Karl Popper provides a thorough review of this classic work which is still highly regarded as a model of scientific reasoning. He rightly argues that logical reasoning can only be understood in terms of presuppositions and as an application of generalizations about fundamental logical principles. Popper thus develops his idea of a logical theory of principles and applies it to different areas such as ethics, metaphysics, education, politics, sociology and biology etc. The logical implication of Popper’s ideas are therefore not merely applicable in the practical work but also in the study of history, technology and religion.