TRAMES 1, 4, 2000

EVEN IF

(Even if Popper solved the problem of induction, Popperians still cannot be rational agents.)

Jüri Eintalu

Tallinn Pedagogical University

Abstract. Popper claimed to have solved the problem of induction, but he reformulated the problem. According to Popper, the aim of science is searching for true theories. Instead of that, and because of practical reasons it is important to predict reliably or at least rationally. The problem of induction is primarily concerned with predicting the future, while falsificationism is able to provide only a rational reconstruction of past events. Falsificationism is therefore irrelevant for rational agents. If a Popperian objects that the rational agent does not need any knowledge, we can answer by using the manoeuvre "even if" which Popper himself employed.

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