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Jan 13, 1924
Pual Feyerabend was born in Vienna, Austria. -
Joined Corps
Joined the Pioneer Corps of the German army after being enlisted. Following completion of basic training, opted to volunteer for Officers’ School. -
Post Military Service
Granted a fellowship to pursue studies in singing and stage-management in Weimar. Became a member of the "Cultural Association for the Democratic Reform of Germany." -
More Education
Went back to Vienna to enroll in history and sociology courses at the University. Later switched focus to physics. Published first article on the concept of illustration in modern physics. Feyerabend was regarded as "a fervent positivist" during that period. -
Kraft Circle
Assumed the role of student leader within the "Kraft Circle," a philosophy club centered on Viktor Kraft, who had been Feyerabend’s dissertation supervisor and a former member of the Vienna Circle. Ludwig Wittgenstein visited the Kraft Circle to deliver a lecture. Feyerabend also encountered Bertolt Brecht during this time. -
Earned A Doctorate
Earned a doctorate in philosophy for his thesis on "basic statements." Sought a British Council scholarship to study under Wittgenstein at Cambridge. However, Wittgenstein passed away before Feyerabend's arrival in England. Consequently, Feyerabend opted for Popper as his supervisor instead. -
Moved to England
Arrived in England to pursue studies under Popper at the London School of Economics. Focused on quantum theory and Wittgenstein. Analyzed the typescript of Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations and crafted a summary of the text. Formed a friendship with Joseph Agassi, another student of Popper. -
Back to Vienna
Feyerabend returned to Vienna, where Popper sought an extension to his scholarship. However, Feyerabend opted to stay in Vienna. He translated Popper's work "The Open Society and Its Enemies" into German. Despite being offered the position of Popper's research assistant, Feyerabend declined, and Agassi accepted the role instead. Instead, Feyerabend became a research assistant to Arthur Pap in Vienna. -
First Article
Feyerabend's initial articles on quantum mechanics and Wittgenstein were published. Pap facilitated Feyerabend's introduction to Herbert Feigl. -
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Career progress
Assumed his inaugural full-time academic role as a philosophy lecturer at the University of Bristol in England. His summary of Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations was published as a review in The Philosophical Review. In 1956, he married his second wife, Mary O’Neill. Additionally, he authored an article on the "paradox of analysis." During this time, Feyerabend developed a significant relationship with the quantum physicist David Bohm, whose ideas would greatly impact his own. -
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Pre- move to the US
Presented a paper on the quantum theory of measurement at the Colston Research Symposium hosted by the University of Bristol. In 1958, Feyerabend began a visiting lectureship at the University of California, Berkeley. "An Attempt at a Realistic Interpretation of Experience" and "Complementarity," were included in the proceedings of the Aristotelian Society. Feyerabend opposed positivism and advocated for a scientific realist perspective on the connection between theory. -
Permanent Position at Berkely
Following earlier conversations with Herbert Feigl, Feyerabend released "Das Problem der Existenz theoretischer Entitäten" (The Problem of the Existence of Theoretical Entities), asserting that there isn't a distinct "problem" concerning theoretical entities and that all entities are essentially hypothetical. He also delivered two lectures at Oberlin College, Ohio, where he elaborated on Karl Popper's perspectives regarding the pre-Socratic philosophers. -
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Published
Between the years of 1962-1965 Feyerabend published 3 papers "Explanation, Reduction, and Empiricism", “How to be a Good Empiricist”, Publication of the first part of the essay “Problems of Empiricism”, -
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New Focus
Feyerabend had shifted the focus of his published papers to "theoretical pluralism," advocating the idea that to enhance the likelihood of falsifying current theories, scientists ought to develop and advocate for numerous alternative theories. His articles, such as "On a Recent Critique of Complementarity," defended Niels Bohr's perspectives against Popper's criticism. This stance didn't sit well with Popper, who was less than pleased. -
"Science in a Free Society"
"Science in a Free Society" was a pivotal work for Feyerabend, expanding on his ideas from "Against Method" while delving into epistemological anarchism and the political implications thereof. It also marked his endorsement of relativism, a viewpoint he became known for. Simultaneously, the publication of his philosophical papers in German signaled a shift towards more German-language publications. -
"Science as an Art"
In "Science as an Art," Feyerabend puts forth an overtly relativistic perspective on the history of science, arguing that while change occurs, there is no inherent "progress." Additionally, he persists in his efforts to revive the reputation of Ernst Mach within the scientific community. -
"Farewell to Reason"
"Farewell to Reason" is released, compiling papers Feyerabend published between 1981 and 1987. Once more, relativism takes center stage, particularly in its "Protagorean" rendition. -
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Moving On
Paul and Grazia tied the knot in January. Later in the year, they departed for Italy and Switzerland, partly due to the aftermath of the October earthquake in California. In March of 1990, Feyerabend officially resigned from Berkeley. -
Retired
Feyerabend retired from Zurich. "Three Dialogues on Knowledge and Beyond Reason," a festschrift edited by Gonzalo Munévar, one of his former students, was published. During this period, Feyerabend produced numerous smaller publications, many appearing in Common Knowledge. There were indications of growing dissatisfaction with relativism in his works at this time. However, he remained staunchly opposed to "objectivism." -
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Last Years
The third edition of "Against Method" was published. Sadly, Feyerabend was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and was hospitalized. He passed away on February 11, 1994, at the Genolier clinic in Switzerland. Over the following two years, several significant memorial symposia and colloquia were held to honor his work.