5 Karl Popper Quotes on Communication

Karl Popper quotes on communication

27. No rational argument will have a rational effect on a man who does not want to adopt a rational attitude.

32. There are many difficulties impeding the rapid spread of reasonableness. One of the main difficulties is that it always takes two to make a discussion reasonable. Each of the parties must be ready to learn from the other. You cannot have a rational discussion with a man who prefers shooting you to being convinced by you.

41. It is often asserted that discussion is only possible between people who have a common language and accept common basic assumptions. I think that this is a mistake. All that is needed is a readiness to learn from one's partner in the discussion, which includes a genuine wish to understand what he intends to say. If this readiness is there, the discussion will be the more fruitful the more the partner's backgrounds differ.

46. Always remember that it is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood: there will always be some who misunderstand you.

    Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.

58. Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.

    Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.