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The Open Society and Its Enemies Vol. 1: The Spell of Plato
The Open Society and Its Enemies Vol 1 The Spell of Plato Author:Karl R. Popper This is a powerful and important book. It is a criticism of a set of dogmas which underly the most influential political theories and in consequence powerfully affect the actual conduct of human affairs. One of these dogmas is what I may call the 'Juggernaut theory' of history, according to which human history is 'not a bus but a tram.' The othe... more »r dogma is the taboo theory of the bases of society, according to which ideal societies would be governed (as primitive societies were governed) in accordance with canons exempted from criticism. The former dogma is entitled by the author 'Historicism;' the later the dogma of 'the Closed Society.' Historicism holds, roughly, that it is useless for men to try to shape their ends,. The Taboo theory holds that it is wicked. Thoughts about our journey are idle thoughts on the one view; the are dangerous thoughts on the other.... Dr.Popper writes with extreme clarity and vigour. His studies in Greek history and Greek thought have obviously been profound and original. Platonic exegesis will never be the same again.Nor, I think, will Marxist exegesis.. -- Gilbert Ryle, Mind.« less