Science and Society in Karl Raimund Popper: Some reflections starting from Positivismusstreit

Abstract

In my contribution, I intend to move from Positivismusstreit in order to work through the complex and in part unexplored rapport of Popper with the topic of Society. It is possible to point out some parts in Popper’s paper that was presented in Tübingen that reinforce the idea of a social connotation of science present in Popper’s conception of epistemology. These parts, in my opinion, have two immediate and significant consequences: on one hand, they support the thesis of one of the scholars of Popper, Ian Jarvie, who, in a volume from 2001, suggested a rereading of the epistemological reflections of Popper from a social approach. Second, these parts offer a perspective on the reading which represents new hindsight regarding the conception of ‘Social’ of the two key scholars Popper and Adorno. Through a reconstruction of the initial positions, this article will attempt to present the Popperian interpretation of the relationship between Science and Society and the role of Sociology. If opportunely reconsidered, these aspects may actually be an instrument through which it is possible to pinpoint an absolutely unexpected common theme between the participants at Tübingen.