批判的合理主義の一側面

Abstract

As Popper uses the word 'rationalism' in a wide sense which includes 'empiricism' as well as 'intellectualism', his concept of rationalist attitude is very similar to that of the scientific attitude which seeks to solve as many problem as possible by an appeal to reason, i.e. to clear thought and experience. His adoption of rationalism, however, is not simply an intellectual affair. It is a moral decision. As no argument can logically justify the choice of rationalism (arguments can only vindicate it), comprehensive rationalism collapses. The adoption of critical rationalism, which must be clearly distinguished from comprehensive rationalism, presupposes an irrational faith in reason, which has the same status with Descartes' position Cogito ergo Sum. In this sense Popper's philosophy is based on the dualism of 'fact' and 'decision', or as one might prefer to say, the dualism of 'fact' and 'norm', and has a structure very similar to the dualisms adovocated by Descartes and Kant respectively. The author, after having interpreted Popper's basic ideas, concludes that critical rationalism would lead to something like a negative utilitarianism, which recommends us the idea of piecemeal social engineering. In the language of sociology Popper's philosophy is based on the dualism of institution and individual. The dualistic view of fact and norm is the philosophical basis of liberalism and of social reform.