No number of sightings of white swans can prove the theory that all swans are white. The sighting of just one black one may disprove it. Karl Popper More Quotes by Karl Popper More Quotes From Karl Popper Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them. We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant. Karl Popper tolerance claims names True ignorance is not the absence of knowledge, but the refusal to acquire it. Karl Popper paradise-on-earth ignorance absence I remained a socialist for several years, even after my rejection of Marxism; and if there could be such a thing as socialism combined with individual liberty, I would be a socialist still. For nothing could be better than living a modest, simple, and free life in an egalitarian society. Karl Popper simple dream beautiful The growth of knowledge depends entirely upon disagreement. Karl Popper disagreement depends growth 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. Karl Popper libertarian problem theory The question is not how to get good people to rule; THE QUESTION IS: HOW TO STOP THE POWERFUL from doing as much damage as they can to us. Karl Popper good-people powerful people Every intellectual has a very special responsibility. He has the privilege and the opportunity of studying. In return, he owes it to his fellow men (or 'to society') to represent the results of his study as simply, clearly and modestly as he can. The worst thing that intellectuals can do - the cardinal sin - is to try to set themselves up as great prophets vis-à-vis their fellow men and to impress them with puzzling philosophies. Anyone who cannot speak simply and clearly should say nothing and continue to work until he can do so. Karl Popper responsibility opportunity philosophy All life is problem solving Karl Popper problem inspiring inspire If you can't say it simply and clearly, keep quiet, and keep working on it till you can. Karl Popper ifs quiet The only way to test a hypothesis is to look for all the information that disagrees with it. Karl Popper information tests looks It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood. Karl Popper misunderstood communication way No rational argument will have a rational effect on a man who does not want to adopt a rational attitude. Karl Popper doe attitude men 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. Karl Popper speak doe reality All things living are in search of a better world . Karl Popper all-things world It is part of my thesis that all our knowledge grows only through the correcting of our mistakes. Karl Popper truth mistake knowledge I may be wrong and you may be right, and by an effort, we may get nearer to the truth Karl Popper rationalism effort may While differing widely in the various little bits we know, in our infinite ignorance we are all equal. Karl Popper infinite ignorance littles Ignorance is not a simple lack of knowledge but an active aversion to knowledge, the refusal to know, issuing from cowardice, pride, or laziness of mind. Karl Popper pride ignorance simple Optimism is a duty. The future is open. It is not predetermined. No one can predict it, except by chance. We all contribute to determining it by what we do. We are all equally responsible for its success. Karl Popper optimism responsible chance When we enter a new situation in life and are confronted by a new person, we bring with us the prejudices of the past and our previous experiences of people. These prejudices we project upon the new person. Indeed, getting to know a person is largely a matter of withdrawing projections; of dispelling the smoke screen of what we imagine he is like and replacing it with the reality of what he is actually like. Karl Popper situations-in-life reality past
