Karl Popper on Myths and Traditions

ABSTRACT The predominant opinion that science has the explanation and solution to natural and social problems can be summed in the words of Mel Thompson that ‘science is a massive problem-solving and information gathering enterprise’. Thoughts such as this relegate other forms of knowledge and the benefits therein to the background or sometimes dismissing them as primitive myths or traditional gibberish. However, Karl Popper believes that myths and traditions are essential component of modern science and that without tradition knowledge is impossible. Myths survive via tradition. Popper argues for a critical examination of myths and tradition before rejecting or accepting them. Along this line, the study analyzed and evaluated Popper’s thoughts on myths and traditions. Specifically, the study, using Popper’s theory of critical rationalism as a framework, tried to situate the appropriateness or otherwise of myths and traditions for the enhancement of scientific and social knowledge; discover the philosophy behind myths and traditions; how they are created, sustained and transmitted and finally, discover the role it had played and could play in the development of science and society. The study affirmed Popper’s view that tradition is a very important source of knowledge and that science originates from myths and traditions. It was also established that the philosophy behind every myth and tradition is the explanation and justification of all human experiences and actions. It was equally discovered that cosmological and physical regularities and irregularities give impetus for the creation of myths and traditions. The study advocates the enthronement of the culture of logical curiosity in cultures where critical thinking is not a tradition in other to preserve their myths and traditions for future generations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page - - - - - - - - - i

Approval page - - - - - - - - ii

Certification - - - - - - - - - iii

Dedication - - - - - - - - - iv

Acknowledgement - - - - - - - - v

Abstract - - - - - - - - - viii

Table of contents - - - - - - - - ix

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study - - - - - - - 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem- - - - - - - 6

1.3 Purpose of the Study - - - - - - - 7

1.4 Thesis of the Study - - - - - - - 8

1.5 Scope of the Study - - - - - - 8

1.6 Significance of the Study- - - - - - - 8

1.7 Method of the Study - - - - - - - 9

Chapter two: Literature Review - - - - - - 11

Chapter Three: Analysis of Karl Popper’s Rational Theory

 Towards Tradition

3.1. Biography of Karl Popper - - - - - - 52

3.2. Reasons for a Rational Theory of Tradition - - - - 55

3.3. The Difference between Science and Myth - - - - 62

3.4. Sociological Theory of Tradition - - - - 70

3.5. The Notion of Critical Rationalism - - - - - 75

x

Chapter Four: Critical Evaluation of Popper’s Rational Theory

 of Myth and Tradition

4.1. The Anti-rationality of Rationalism Vs the Problem of Tradition - 85

4.2. Rational Theory of Tradition - - - - - - 92

4.3. The Inevitability of Tradition - - - - - - 95

4.4. Deconstruction of Popper’s Critical Theory - - - - 96

Chapter Five: Scientific and Sociological Senses in the Nonsense of Myths

 and Traditions

5.1. Re-evaluation of Similarities between Science, Myth and Tradition - 106

5.2. Sense in the Nonsense of Myths - - - - - - 109

5.3. The Culture of Logical Curiosity- - - - - - 120

5.3.1. Culture - - - - - - - 120

5.3.2. Logic - - - - - - - - - 127

5.3.3. Curiosity- - - - - - - - 128

5.4. Culture of Logical Curiosity in the Enthronement of Research Tradition- 130

5.5. The Great Generations in Scientific thinking - - - - 136

5.6. Evaluation - - - - - - - - 141

5.7. Conclusion - - - - - - - - 145

 Bibliography - - - - - - - 149