Whenever a theory appears to you as the only possible one, take this as a sign that you have neither understood the theory nor the problem which it was intended to solve.
Meaning of the quote
If a theory seems like the only possible explanation, it means you haven't fully understood the theory or the problem it's trying to solve. This is a sign that you need to keep exploring and learning more about the topic. Just because a theory seems simple or obvious, doesn't mean it's the complete picture. There are usually other ways of looking at things, and you should be open to considering different perspectives.
About Karl Popper
Karl Popper was an influential 20th-century philosopher known for his theory of falsification, which challenged the classical inductivist views on the scientific method. He was a staunch defender of liberal democracy and open society, though his primary interest was in the philosophy of science rather than politics.
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More quotes from Karl Popper
Good tests kill flawed theories; we remain alive to guess again.
Austrian-British philosopher of science and social and politica e falsificationism and for criticism of Plato, Hegel and Marx as totalitarian opponents of open society (1902-1994)
In so far as a scientific statement speaks about reality, it must be falsifiable; and in so far as it is not falsifiable, it does not speak about reality.
Austrian-British philosopher of science and social and politica e falsificationism and for criticism of Plato, Hegel and Marx as totalitarian opponents of open society (1902-1994)
Those who promise us paradise on earth never produced anything but a hell.
Austrian-British philosopher of science and social and politica e falsificationism and for criticism of Plato, Hegel and Marx as totalitarian opponents of open society (1902-1994)
We must plan for freedom, and not only for security, if for no other reason than that only freedom can make security secure.
Austrian-British philosopher of science and social and politica e falsificationism and for criticism of Plato, Hegel and Marx as totalitarian opponents of open society (1902-1994)
There is no history of mankind, there are only many histories of all kinds of aspects of human life. And one of these is the history of political power. This is elevated into the history of the world.
Austrian-British philosopher of science and social and politica e falsificationism and for criticism of Plato, Hegel and Marx as totalitarian opponents of open society (1902-1994)
Science may be described as the art of systematic over-simplification.
Austrian-British philosopher of science and social and politica e falsificationism and for criticism of Plato, Hegel and Marx as totalitarian opponents of open society (1902-1994)
Whenever a theory appears to you as the only possible one, take this as a sign that you have neither understood the theory nor the problem which it was intended to solve.
Austrian-British philosopher of science and social and politica e falsificationism and for criticism of Plato, Hegel and Marx as totalitarian opponents of open society (1902-1994)
Our knowledge can only be finite, while our ignorance must necessarily be infinite.
Austrian-British philosopher of science and social and politica e falsificationism and for criticism of Plato, Hegel and Marx as totalitarian opponents of open society (1902-1994)
We have become makers of our fate when we have ceased to pose as its prophets.
Austrian-British philosopher of science and social and politica e falsificationism and for criticism of Plato, Hegel and Marx as totalitarian opponents of open society (1902-1994)
Science must begin with myths, and with the criticism of myths.
Austrian-British philosopher of science and social and politica e falsificationism and for criticism of Plato, Hegel and Marx as totalitarian opponents of open society (1902-1994)
Piecemeal social engineering resembles physical engineering in regarding the ends as beyond the province of technology.
Austrian-British philosopher of science and social and politica e falsificationism and for criticism of Plato, Hegel and Marx as totalitarian opponents of open society (1902-1994)
It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood.
Austrian-British philosopher of science and social and politica e falsificationism and for criticism of Plato, Hegel and Marx as totalitarian opponents of open society (1902-1994)
No rational argument will have a rational effect on a man who does not want to adopt a rational attitude.
Austrian-British philosopher of science and social and politica e falsificationism and for criticism of Plato, Hegel and Marx as totalitarian opponents of open society (1902-1994)