The Theory of Anything Episode 107: Was Popper a Fideist?
May 13, 2025
Dive into the clash between Karl Popper and William Bartley as they debate fideism and critical rationalism. Explore how faith and reason interact, with Bartley's accusations bringing a fresh perspective on Popper's philosophy. The discussion wanders through personal beliefs and the emotional weight of rationality, and how cosmological views can shape one's understanding of truth. From existential dilemmas to the nuances of rational choice, this conversation challenges the boundaries between belief systems and rational thought.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Popper's Faith in Reason
- Popper claimed that choosing rationalism involves an "irrational faith in reason," acknowledging rationalism can't be proven self-contained.
- He proposed critical rationalism as an approach that openly admits this foundational act of faith.
Falsification Limits in Philosophy
- Popper sees falsification as a tool for empirical theories, not philosophies, making critical rationalism unfalsifiable but open to criticism.
- This perspective separates empirical falsifiability from philosophical critique, allowing critical rationalism to operate without empirical falsification.
Bruce's Benign Fideism Admission
- Bruce Nielsen relates to a benign form of fideism that accepts faith as foundational for reason.
- He recognizes that this faith-based rationality is a bold, uncomfortable but honest admission by Popper.
