Karl Popper's concept of "three worlds" in the mirror of the Soviet cartoon "Polygon" (1977)

Relevance. This scientific article is devoted to the analysis of Karl Popper's concept of "three worlds" in relation to the content of the Soviet animated film "Polygon" from 1977. The article reflects the idea of a scientist's responsibility for the people around them. In the context of modern scientific capabilities, the topic of a scientist's ethics is particularly relevant.
Purpose. The main purpose of this research is to analyze and interpret Karl Popper's concept of "three worlds" in the context of the Soviet animated film "Polygon" from 1977. The objectives of this article are: 1) analysis of the relationship between the "three worlds" in the teachings of Karl Popper in the context of the cartoon "Polygon"; 2) study of the ethics of a scientist using the example of the cartoon "Polygon".
Methodology. includes a philosophical analysis of Popper's concept, a semiotic analysis of the elements of the cartoon, and a cThe research methodology includes a philosophical analysis of Popper's concept, a semiotic analysis of the elements of the cartoon, and a comparative approach to establish connections between them.
Results. The animated film "Polygon", directed by Anatoly Petrov and based on a short story by Sever Gansovsky, tells the story of the creation of an "unmanned" tank capable of reading enemy thoughts and responding to fear impulses. The physical embodiment of the tank and its functioning at the testing ground are considered elements of World 1. The characters' subjective experiences ‒ the soldiers' fear, the inventor's grief, the plot for revenge ‒ are interpreted as manifestations of World 2. The most interesting aspect is the analysis of the tank's artificial intelligence, its ability to "learn" and make decisions, as well as the very idea of a «perfect weapon» and the film's anti-war message as components of World 3. The work demonstrates how objective knowledge, embodied in the tank's algorithms and cultural products (the idea of a weapon, the anti-war narrative), can be autonomous and exert a causal influence on the physical world through mental states.
Conclusions. The cartoon "Polygon" offers rich material for illustrating and understanding Popper's model, particularly in regard to the interaction between World 2 and World 3, as well as the autonomy of World 3. The findings highlight the relevance of philosophical reflection on technological progress and the moral and ethical dilemmas presented in works of art. This article contributes to interdisciplinary research at the intersection of the philosophy of science, cultural theory, and animation, offering a new perspective for understanding classical philosophical concepts through the lens of art.

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