While into philosophy, both Heidegger and Karl Popper (who had very different politics) were reacting against the legacy of Plato. Plato has a lot to answer for with his idea that there is a fundamental ideal to which we need to get ever closer. It is dangerous rubbish. Popper had the right idea, in science and social engineering, that we can only ever hope to minimise the bad, not achieve perfection. It sounds like what computer programming is all about. If anyone wants a good book to read over Christmas, I would strongly recommend Karl Popper's "The Open Society and Its Enemies". Tim Benson
