Overview

Karl Popper's The Poverty of Historicism is one of the most important books on the social sciences to have appeared since the Second World War. It is also the work of one of the most original minds of the twentieth century. At the time of its first publication in 1957, it was hailed by Arthur Koestler as 'probably the only book published this year which will outlive the century.' A devastating criticism of the idea that there are fixed laws in history and that human beings are able to predict them, Popper dedicated the book to all those 'who fell victim to the fascist and communist belief in Inexorable Laws of Historical Destiny.' Short and beautifully written, it has inspired generations of intellectuals, policy makers and general readers alike and remains one of the best books for gaining an insight into the ideas of this great thinker.

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9780415278454

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Reviews

On its publication in 1957, The Poverty of Historicism was hailed by Arthur Koestler as 'probably the only book published this year which will outlive the century.' 'Karl Popper was a philosopher of uncommon originality, clarity and depth, and his range was exceptional.' - The Times 'One of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century.' - The Daily Telegraph 'Popper's work is of far greater than mere academic value; it has an immediate and manifest bearing on the political decisions everyone has to make.' - The Listener 'This is one of the three or four most important books of the methodology of the social sciences to appear since the war.' - New Statesman

'Probably the only book published this year which will outlive this century.' - Arthur Koestler 'It is good to have this brilliant book at last available in English.' - The Times 'This is one of the three or four most important books of the methodology of the social sciences to appear since the war.' - New Statesman 'Popper's work is of far greater than mere academic value; it has an immediate and manifest bearing on the political decisions that everyone has to make.' - The Listener 'Should be read even by those who will not agree with it.' - Tribune 'This is the theoretical companion to the better-known Open Society and Its Enemies. It puts paid to all attempts at futurology by pointing out that the future depends on new knowledge which by definition we do not have today.' - Samuel Brittan, The Week, 2nd April 2005

Author Information

Karl Popper

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