Crash Course Philosophy 8: Karl Popper

Who was the young philosopher who observed the methods of Einstein and Freud?

• Sigmund Freud

• Karl Popper

• Isaac Newton

• Albert Einstein

What did Popper call the type of science that Freud was doing?

• Natural science

• Pseudo-science

• Social science

• Hard science

According to Popper, what is a key difference between science and pseudoscience?

• Science confirms, pseudoscience disconfirms

• Science disconfirms, pseudoscience confirms

• Science is always right, pseudoscience is always wrong

• Science is based on opinions, pseudoscience is based on facts

What did Popper argue about preconceived notions in scientific observation?

• They do not exist in true scientific observation

• They are only present in pseudoscience

• They are necessary for forming hypotheses

• Everyone has them, whether they admit it or not

What is the only genuine test of a theory, according to Popper?

• One that attempts to falsify the theory

• One that is irrefutable

• One that confirms the theory

• One that is based on past data

Why did Popper believe that irrefutable theories are not scientific?

• Because they are based on opinions

• Because they confirm existing beliefs

• Because they cannot be tested

• Because they are always true

What should you do once you have disproven your theory, according to Popper?

• Give it up and accept the evidence

• Ignore the contradictory evidence

• Modify the theory to fit the evidence

• Continue to believe in it

What does Popper say about the nature of knowledge?

• It is about certainty and absolute truth

• It is about probability and contingency

• It is fixed and unchangeable

• It is based on personal beliefs

According to Popper, what is the best way to get closer to the truth?

• Being certain of your beliefs

• Always remaining open to the idea that your beliefs might be wrong

• Believing whatever you want

• Ignoring new evidence

What is the modern scientific thinking that we accept today?

• Subjective, personal, untestable

• Testable, refutable, falsifiable

• Unchangeable, certain, absolute

• Based on opinions, irrefutable, confirmatory