The Open Society and Its Enemies (Princeton Classics, 115)

Fantastic book addressing how humans emerge from "the closed society" (one bound up with local traditions, taboos and metaphysics) to a more open society in which humans share experiences across tribal/political boundaries to get closer to the truth in both scientific enterprises and social and political theories and constructs - the crucial factors for success here being the existence of societies which promote free expression and allow critique of standards and "facts"; tolerance and acceptance of less than holistic truths if they afford a gradual improvement in the stock of human knowledge and the human condition; repudiation of theistic or atheistic totalitarian philosophies and structures which degrade or destroy the ability the same. Wish I had read this book a long time ago.

Not for the faint of heart. it helped immensely to have listen to lectures on the Socratic dialogues several times, and to have previously read secondary sources of Hegel and Marx. Obviously, not the ideal prerequisites, but i have plowed through it. It earned a very high 'highlighter index'. It is like being taught patiently by the author. Very temporally relevant subject matter. 2 volumes in 1 with ~1/3 part end notes for additional detail, discussion and cross reference. What's not to like?

A well written work. Sadly Everyone is Going Astray Even Those Who Do Not Want To Go Astray. This work helps to highlight the struggles that arise from such a basic worldwide issue. Everyone should read this book.

The preface says it has a new perspective that Plato was a totalitarian. The book spends a lot more time on problems with Marx.

I couldn't maintain an interest in this. He starts with the Greeks and dissect in detail going forward in time from there. I was hoping for something a little more succinct and insightful. This just bored me to tears.

Beautiful edition, beautiful book. You may agree or not with Popper's views, but this book has great value besides that since it works pretty well as an introduction to philosophy and its history. I am loving it.

Imperdível, mas nada facil ler na correria do dia a dia. Filosofia da Ciência raiz, excelente opção à Thomas Kuhn.

A classical thrashing of Marxism

è un libro adatto a chi è interessato alla sociologia e non disdegna la filosofia da cui parte l'autore per la sua analisi. L'edizione è veramente gradevole, caratteri non troppo piccoli.Il nazismo, una delle tante forme di collettivismo autoritario, ha stimolato nel professor Popper, ebreo austriaco emigrato in Nuova Zelanda (come dire sulla luna negli anni '30 del '900), una riflessione profondissima e magistrale sulle forme di società e sulle loro caratteristiche.Più che un testo di sociologia, direi di antropologia.

Whether you agree with Karl Popper or not, this book is worth reading.