PUBLIC INTELLECTUALS IN A DEMOCRATIC STATE AND THE ROLE OF KARL POPPER’S CRITICAL RATIONALISM

Ali Ahmed

Research Scholar, Department of Philosophy, Cotton University, Guwahati, assam.

Email- aliahmedassam786@gmail.com

Abstract:

The quest for knowledge has been perennial to mankind. Philosophical enquiries about the world, the after world has occupied interest of philosophers who are in search for deeper truths. After the origination of society, the emergence of political systems marked the evolution of the state. Political evolution came along with the biological evolution. As such Governments emerged naturally as an association of families, clans, and tribes. Starting from Greek city state to other forms of government like monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy, democracy etc., it has been seen that their role and mode of operation has been various. As such question, it often come to the mind   what is the best form of government? Is democracy the best form of government in the world today? If it is yes, then, how can a democracy be a healthy one which ensures participation of the public through reasoned arguments, use critical rationality to solve problems? How can dissent play a vital role alarming the government about the inadequacies of policies framed by the government? What can be the role of public intellectuals in making a democratic state worth living? These are some of the issues on which this paper would like to delve.

Keywords: Democracy, Public Intellectuals, Dissent, Critical Rationalism, Government, Popper.