Sir Karl Popper is acclaimed as one of the most influential thinkers of our time. Born in Vienna in 1902, he fled the Nazis in 1937 and took up a university post in New Zealand. He followed an academic career, teaching and lecturing all over Europe, Australasia, India, Japan and the USA. He has written numerous books, articles and essays. His publications appeared in some 30 languages. This study offers an introduction to the life and work of this thinker. It charts the development of Popper's philosophy and shows his political commitment to humanism and enlightenment. At the center of Popper's thought stands rationality and a strong belief in the power of the human mind to change things for the better. Rationality thus serves as a guide both in his philosophical considerations and for his political views.

Sir Karl Popper is acclaimed as one of the most influential thinkers of our time. Born in Vienna in 1902, he fled the Nazis in 1937 and took up a university post in New Zealand. He followed an academic career, teaching and lecturing all over Europe, Australasia, India, Japan and the USA. He has written numerous books, articles and essays. His publications appeared in some 30 languages. This study offers an introduction to the life and work of this thinker. It charts the development of Popper's philosophy and shows his political commitment to humanism and enlightenment. At the center of Popper's thought stands rationality and a strong belief in the power of the human mind to change things for the better. Rationality thus serves as a guide both in his philosophical considerations and for his political views.