Do you agree with Karl Popper's contention that: "Denying realism amounts to megalomania"?

Answer 1

I would say that there must be some room for visions, passions, dreams without become psychotic. A pure stark realism would make a pessimist of the most able of mankind. Man has to be as much of a spiritual animal, as he has to be a mental one.

Answer 2

Yes, you're completely right. I remember when this programme called "The Nostradamus Effect" was supposed to be a one - off show. Now it's a whole series devoted to telling us all the different ways we might meet our maker. It's repeated all the time. These type of shows must attract a larger audience - you can't go a day without there being another one on the TV somewhere. Another thing I've noticed is that these programmes are full of questions, but offer nothing in the way of real answers. If you watch one, you'll see what I mean. The voice over is always full of what, how and why type questions without ever providing any straight up, genuine facts. I thought these programmes were supposed to report about events, facts and history, not vague theories concerning the future. What's even more troubling is that some people will be buying into these programmes, hook, line and sinker. It can't be doing their mental health any good. I think they should give it a rest with all these 2012 style programmes. They should stick with reality, although we both know that probably won't happen. For now, the best option is to just avoid watching them.

Answer 3

I hadn't heard the quote, so took a Google tour to find what is meant by realism in the context. To my amusement, Wikipedia has a list under Philosophy enough 'realism's' to amount to enough didactic power for permanent synaptic overload.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Realism

Further exploration uncovered the following quote from Popper:
"Denying realism amounts to megalomania (the most widespread occupational disease of the professional philosopher). ... In my opinion, the greatest scandal of philosophy is that, while all around us the world of nature perishes - and not the world of nature alone - philosophers continue to talk, sometimes cleverly and sometimes not, about the question of whether this world exists. They get involved in scholasticism, in linguistic puzzles such as, for example, whether or not there are differences between 'being' and 'existing'."

In this light, megalomania is a rather strong description. At the extreme such philosophical indulgence may cause isolation, egotism, or a state in which the proponent lives in an intellectually inflated absence of concrete connection with the world around him.
Megalomania is an expansive and power crazy type of mindset in which grandiose notions and unrealistically expansive intent drives a person. Denying realism, as in Popper's above description, is simply a self-indulgence which usually limits the one so inclined to certain circles of communication. Elitist it may be; to my view, however, not to the extreme Popper implies.

Answer 4

No, because megalomania denies nothing except realism.

Answer 5

I'm not familiar with this assertion, but it rings true.

The following encapsulates what I find most inspiring about his views. "The major contribution made to science by Popper emerges from his argument that the job of scientific experiment is to seek evidence not to support a proposed theory but, rather, to refute it. He contends that science becomes mere ritual, making only meager progress, when it settles for testing to verify a favored hypothesis. The real task of experimental testing is that of trying to find the hypothesis' weaknesses and flaws. One way to put a theory or hypothesis to the test is to draw from it predictions about observable events in time and space. A theory becomes scientific when it is specific enough to be falsifiable and when it covers specified events observable in time and space. It ceases to be scientific when it hides behind vagueness or risks no bold and daring predictions going beyond the general consensus."

Answer 6

No, I only agree with God
God has all the answers and I understand God.
I don't know what realism or megalomania is.

Answer 7

Denying Oneself amounts to gigamania.

Answer 8

Us megalomaniacs have little use for reality. (so I suppose that means yes)

Answer 9

"Real" is "What IS" without the coloring of mind!