Finding the right metaphors

a dialogue between Karl Popper and Michel Maffesoli around of the postmodernity

Abstract

The search for the words most appropriate to describe the postmodernity it is a challenge as difficult as to try understand it. Therefore, through metaphors, the philosopher and sociologist Michel Maffesoli finds ways to say less judgmental, straightening the maximum, possible projections or distortions on this new scenario. In this sense, this article explores two points of Karl Popper’s thinking that aim to contribute with the characterization of outlines of the postmodern scenario. The first point consists in the use of the metaphor “Of Clouds and Watches”. It will be a resource which we will examine comparatively to demonstrate some elements that enable us raise a possible interpretation about the postmodernity. From this perspective more comprehensive than projective, our second point emerges the notion of scientific demarcation that should be explored from popperian thinking. It should help us to build a critic to the determinism that hangs over the Social Sciences, as to the established knowledge that, through a dogmatic atitude, prevents readings more refined and attentive of social reality.