ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to apply critical rationalism for formulation of a new theory of social change. To this goal, Chapter 9 explores the cultural, political and economic mechanisms of social change. Investigation of the role of emancipatory action in shaping these three mechanisms of social change shows how thinkers, social movements and ordinary people use critical reason to explore the mistaken premises of their common beliefs regarding the universe, the good life, human rights, political legitimacy and economic efficiency. Unfalsified beliefs replace false premises, preventing egoistic behaviours more efficiently and organizing cooperative actions for social good more accurately. This chapter argues that the philosophy of critical rationalism leads the sociology of social change to an analysis of social evolution in terms of a process of learning from criticism.
