DiscoverThe Theory of AnythingEpisode 124: Popper's Evolutionary Theory of Knowledge
Episode 124: Popper's Evolutionary Theory of Knowledge

Episode 124: Popper's Evolutionary Theory of Knowledge

Update: 2025-12-09
Share

Description

aka "The Popper vs Campbell Beatdown!"


At long last! The showdown you've all been waiting for! These two giants of epistemology meet in the ring and fight it out for dominance!

Bruce continues his exploration of evolutionary epistemology, or the idea that all knowledge creation in nature is analogous to natural selection. Specifically, Bruce discusses how Karl Popper’s critical rationalism is—and is not—related to Donald Campbell’s concept of evolutionary epistemology, which it seems Popper mostly endorsed. But is Popper’s conjecture and refutation really the same as Campbell’s blind variation and selective retention? And would Popper have agreed with David Deutsch that "All an animal's knowledge is in its genes?" (In fact, Popper explicitly answers that question! Multiple times! Tune in to find out!)


⁠Support us on Patreon

Comments 
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Episode 124: Popper's Evolutionary Theory of Knowledge

Episode 124: Popper's Evolutionary Theory of Knowledge

Bruce Nielson and Peter Johansen