Metaphysical Research Program

Karl Popper

Philosophy After Darwin

2017-06-21

“Darwinism is not a testable scientific theory, but a metaphysical research program—a possible framework for testable scientific theories … And yet, the theory is invaluable. I do not see how, without it, our knowledge could have grown as it has done since Darwin. In trying to explain experiments with bacteria which become adapted to, say, penicillin, it is quite clear that we are greatly helped by the theory of natural selection. Although it is metaphysical, it sheds much light upon very concrete and very practical researches.”


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