In this course students will become familiar with the ethical attitude that best ensures the free and democratic development of science and society. We will do this by reading and discussing Volume I of Karl Popper’s book The Open Society and its Enemies. This book, first published in 1945 and written during the ascendancy and defeat of Nazism, and in opposition to ongoing communist totalitarianism, is the basis for the Open Society University Network, of which the Universidad de los Andes is a member. Evaluation will be based on weekly quizzes, forum participation and a short final paper.