The Logic of Scientific Discovery Study Guide

The Logic of Scientific Discovery by Karl Popper is an analysis of scientific thinking through the particular view of epistemology held by this well-known philosopher of science. In this first chapter he analyzes the methods of empirical science. He claims that metaphysical and philosophical ideas contribute heavily to the cosmology in empirical scientific endeavors. He believes there is far more to such endeavors than the language analyst's "linguistic puzzles" or other investigations about how scientific laws are arrived at and accepted. Equating rational attitude with critical thinking, Popper draws a clear line between two approaches to knowledge, common sense and scientific thinking. (read more)