The Open Society and Its Enemies

How does Plato’s Theory of Forms or Ideas fit into his political program? Why did Popper consider this theory problematic?

In The Open Society and Its Enemies, Popper outlines the relationship between mid-20th-century totalitarianism and Plato’s political program. Describe and evaluate this relationship. Is Popper correct in his assertions?

How did Popper’s personal background shape his ideology and advocacy for an open society?

In Laws, Plato stated that the “[e]qual treatment of unequals must beget inequality” (92). What did Plato mean by this assertion? How did Popper respond to Plato?

“Nearly all the more important ideas of modern totalitarianism are directly inherited from Hegel” is one of Popper’s key assertions in this book (273). Do you agree with Popper? Discuss key aspects of Hegel’s philosophical system to answer this question.

Popper calls Karl Marx a “false prophet” but at the same time is sympathetic toward the “humanitarian impulse of Marxism” (294, 293). Analyze Popper’s paradoxical attitude toward Karl Marx as a person and Marxism as a sociological theory.

Marx’s analytical methodology focused on the social and economic relations between classes under capitalism. Describe the specifics of this methodology. Do you think it could be applied today to analyze contemporary society? Explain your answer.

The three key philosophers in The Open Society and Its Enemies, Plato, Hegel, and Marx, are system builders in their own right. Compare and contrast key aspects of each philosopher’s system. Why do you think Popper chose to focus on these three thinkers?