Conjectures and Refutations

The Growth of Scientific Knowledge

De: Karl Popper

Narrado por: Martyn Swain

Conjectures and Refutations is one of Karl Popper’s most wide-ranging and popular works, notable not only for its acute insights into the way scientific knowledge grows, but also for applying those insights to politics and to history. It provides one of the clearest and most accessible statements of the fundamental idea that guided his work: not only our knowledge but our aims and our standards grow through an unending process of trial and error.

Popper brilliantly demonstrates how knowledge grows by guesses or conjectures and tentative solutions, which must then be subjected to critical tests. Although they may survive any number of tests, our conjectures remain conjectures, they can never be established as true. What makes Conjectures and Refutations such an enduring book is that Popper goes on to apply this bold theory of the growth of knowledge to a fascinating range of important problems including the role of tradition, the origin of the scientific method, the demarcation between science and metaphysics, the body-mind problem, the way we use language, how we understand history and the dangers of public opinion. Throughout the book Popper stresses the importance of our ability to learn from our mistakes.

Conjectures and Refutations is essential listening and a book to be returned to again and again.

Karl Popper (1902-94), philosopher, born in Vienna. One of the most influential and controversial thinkers of the twentieth century.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©1996 Estate of Sir Karl Popper (P)2022 Ukemi Productions Ltd

Erudite thinking with elitist language

Fabulous thinking. Popper’s language is accurate for those well versed in philosophical jargon. Narrator’s accent and near robotic voice is off putting to my ears. Sad given great value poorly suited to be consumed by modern Americans of 2025.

A difficult book which rewards you in ways you can hardly imagine.

Popper’s evaluation of how we learn and the means by which we develop better information truly puts into perspective why we often get things wrong, and even explains why we misunderstand each other as often as we do. While this book is very dense, and might contain subjects that may be difficult to grasp without some philosophical background, the end result of finishing this book is tremendous, and will help many people understand how knowledge, and even how modern science, develops theories for practical applications and for everyday life. I couldn’t recommend this book more.

Essential for Age of AI

Encouraged to explore Popper by Deutsche’s enthusiasm in The Beginning of Infinity I found the material inaccessible until Conjectures and Refutations. It is essential reading for any artificial intelligence pioneer or thinker. The breakdown of how knowledge is created is extremely insightful and inspiring.

Excellent concise thoughts on a range of interesting topics.

All well done. I feel smarter having listened to this audiobook. I will share with anyone who will listen.