Beyond method: The diatribe between Feyerabend and Popper over the foundations of quantum mechanics

TL;DR

This paper explores the historical philosophical debate between Popper and Feyerabend regarding the foundations of quantum mechanics, highlighting how their personal relationship influenced their scientific disagreements.

Contribution

It provides a detailed reconstruction of their philosophical dispute over quantum mechanics foundations and examines the impact of their personal relationship on their intellectual divergence.

Findings

Reveals the evolution of Popper and Feyerabend's philosophical positions on quantum mechanics

Highlights the influence of personal dynamics on scientific disagreements

Provides historical context for their contrasting views on scientific methodology

Abstract

Karl Popper and Paul Feyerabend have been among the most influential philosophers of science of the twentieth century. Extensive studies have been dedicated to the development of their controversial relationship, which saw Feyerabend turning from a student and supporter of Popper to one of his harshest critics. Yet, it is not as well known that the rift between Popper and Feyerabend generated mainly in the context of their studies on the foundation of quantum mechanics, which has been the main subject of their discussions for about two decades. This paper reconstructs in detail their diatribe over the foundations of quantum mechanics, emphasizing also the major role that their personal relationship played in their distancing.