Towards a social philosophy of science in Karl R. Popper

Abstract

Popper is commonly considered as an analytical philosopher who focuses on epistemological and methodological aspects of scientific development, disregarding any social, cultural or political consideration. Against this popular image of Popper's philosophy, I argue in this paper that Popper's account of the progress of science is ultimately sociological and hermeneutical. To sustain this thesis I analyze Popper's concept of scientific tradition, highlighting its historical and social character.