Changes

Popper modified his position somewhat and here is a explanation of his subsequent remarks:

Popper modified his position somewhat and here is a explanation of his subsequent remarks:

{{cquote|The late Karl Popper (one of world's leading philosopher of science and originator of the falsifiability criterion), noted that "Darwin's own most important contribution to the theory of evolution, his theory of natural selection, is difficult to test" in that although in "some tests ... such as the famous phenomenon known as `industrial melanism,' we can observe natural selection happening under our very eyes .... Nevertheless, really severe tests of the theory of natural selection are hard to come by" (Popper, 1978, p.344). Earlier, in  

{{cquote|The late Karl Popper (one of world's leading philosopher of science and originator of the falsifiability criterion), noted that "Darwin's own most important contribution to the theory of evolution, his theory of natural selection, is difficult to test" in that although in "some tests ... such as the famous phenomenon known as `industrial melanism,' we can observe natural selection happening under our very eyes .... Nevertheless, really severe tests of the theory of natural selection are hard to come by" (Popper, 1978, p.344). Earlier, in 1974, Popper had concluded in his book, "Unended Quest: An Intellectual Autobiography," that  

1974, Popper had concluded in his book, "Unended Quest: An Intellectual Autobiography," that  

"Darwinism" (that is the modern Neo-Darwinian theory of evolution), "is not a testable scientific theory, but a metaphysical research programme" which at best was only a possible framework for testable scientific theories" (Popper, 1982, p.168. My emphasis). For this Popper was attacked by Darwinists, so in 1978 he issued what he called a "recantation" (note the language of religious persecution!) but in which he stood by his claim that "the doctrine (note again the religious language) of natural selection is a most successful metaphysical research programme" but had "changed [his] mind about the testability and the  

"Darwinism" (that is the modern Neo-Darwinian theory of evolution), "is not a testable scientific theory, but a metaphysical research programme" which at best was only a possible framework for testable scientific theories" (Popper, 1982, p.168. My emphasis). For this Popper was attacked by Darwinists, so in 1978 he issued what he called a "recantation" (note the language of religious persecution!) but in which he stood by his claim that "the doctrine (note again the religious language) of natural selection is a most successful metaphysical research programme" but had "changed [his] mind about the testability and the  

logical status of the theory of natural selection; in that "In its most daring and sweeping form, the theory of natural selection" was "not only refutable but actually refuted" (Popper, 1978, pp.344-345).  

logical status of the theory of natural selection; in that "In its most daring and sweeping form, the theory of natural selection" was "not only refutable but actually refuted" (Popper, 1978, pp.344-345).