Books

First edition, first impression, of Popper's first book in English, the work which made his name in the anglophone world, and an incisive critique of political authoritarianism. The Open Society won praise from Bertrand Russell, who judged it "a work of first-class importance" (Alexander), Gilbert Ryle, and Friedrich Hayek, who arranged for its publication. While Popper is perhaps best known as a philosopher of science, a key theme of the Open Society is how intellectual authoritarianism can lead inexorably to political totalitarianism. The work critiques the inherent flaws of all-knowing, large-scale social engineering, be it the philosopher-kingdoms of Plato's Republic or the planned communist societies of Karl Marx. The first volume depicts Plato's Republic as both proto-Communist and proto-fascist, while the second critiques the claims of Hegel and Marx to have uncovered definitive truths about the historical and future development of humanity. By contrast, Popper's projected society emphasizes individual liberty and a critical approach to moral, political, religious, and scientific doctrines: it was partly for this reason that he described the work as his "war effort" (ibid). Two vols, octavo (217 x 141 mm). Original black cloth, spines lettered in gilt. Light bumping, a couple of marks to rear covers, infrequent foxing to contents: a very good copy. J. McKenzie Alexander, "The Open Society and its enemies: Karl Popper's legacy", 20 November 2024, LSE website, accessible online.

In 'The Open Society and Its Enemies', Popper critiques totalitarianism and defends liberal democracy, examining the philosophies of Plato, Hegel, and Marx.