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Karl Popper

Karl Popper advocated for a technological approach to social science that studies universal social laws to solve problems piecemeal rather than through utopian engineering. He believed this piecemeal approach leaves the future attainable by disciplining speculative inclinations with scientific experimentation. Specifically, the piecemeal approach searches for urgent problems, designs tentative solutions, tests them, and eliminates errors to accommodate changing needs, rather than identifying an ideal end state and pursuing reforms consistently toward that end as utopian engineers aim to do. In Popper's view, the piecemeal approach can work by avoiding unintended consequences that often undermine utopian plans.

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1K views

Karl Popper

Karl Popper advocated for a technological approach to social science that studies universal social laws to solve problems piecemeal rather than through utopian engineering. He believed this piecemeal approach leaves the future attainable by disciplining speculative inclinations with scientific experimentation. Specifically, the piecemeal approach searches for urgent problems, designs tentative solutions, tests them, and eliminates errors to accommodate changing needs, rather than identifying an ideal end state and pursuing reforms consistently toward that end as utopian engineers aim to do. In Popper's view, the piecemeal approach can work by avoiding unintended consequences that often undermine utopian plans.

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eamlehcar
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KARL POPPER

on the Search of a Better World (an Application)

Introduction
Popper believed that there are universal laws in the Social Sciences. Envisioned a methodology that aims for a Technological Social Science. It solves social problems by studying the general laws of social life. Scientific laws tells us not what MUST happen, rather it tells us what CANNOT happen

Examples:
You cannot build a machine that is a 100% efficient. You cannot give a man power over others without tempting him to misuse it.

Technological Approach
In search for a better world Leaves the future we want attainable A discipline upon our speculative inclinations
Which has its basis in the science of experimentation

PIECEMEAL and UTOPIAN SOCIAL ENGINEERING

Utopian Approach
Action is directed towards an ultimate goal, aim or end. Rationality depends upon the extent to which an agent determines his means according to the ultimate end. A Utopian Engineer follows these steps:
Identifies the ultimate end Chooses the most appropriate means for attainment Consciously and consistently pursues the ultimate end

Application: Practical Political Form


A Utopian Engineer must first identify his ideal state before any reforms are made to any institution to improve the situation.

Piecemeal Approach
Searches for and fights the most urgent evils of society. Designs and redesigns social institutions that will alleviate actual suffering. Rationality of the action consists NOT on the conscious and consistent building of an ideal state. Proposes tentative solutions, tests them and eliminates the errors to accommodate to the needs of the state.

In Conclusion:
In Poppers thinking, the Utopian approach is all to easily undermined by the unintended consequences of our actions. and That the Piecemeal Approach can actually work.

THANK YOU!!!!

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