An Examination of Logical Positivism, Volume 8First published in 2000. This is Volume II of six in the Library of Philosophy series on the Philosophy of Science. Written in 1938, philosophical systems which employ logical methods almost exclusively would undoubtedly be expected to produce non-empirical results. If, however, logic is taken simply as a method of connecting meanings it is not difficult to reconcile logical methods with empirical results. If logical formular, in other words, assert nothing about the meanings of propositions, but simply show how such meanings are connected, then an empiricism based on a logical analysis of meanings is not inconsistent. This is what the Logical Positivists have attempted to do. This book looks at two areas: the foundations of a scientific method free from metaphysics, and the elimination of pseudo-concepts introduced by metaphysics into science and philosophy. |
Contents
CHAPTER | 31 |
LOGIC AND MATHEMATICS | 43 |
THEORY OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD | 105 |
IV | 130 |
THE ELIMINATION OF METAPHYSICS | 173 |
VII | 200 |
VIII | 208 |
RADICAL PHYSICALISM | 227 |
XI | 250 |
CRITIQUE OF PHYSICALISM | 281 |
CONCLUSION | 289 |
THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ALTERNATIVE THEORY | 295 |
309 | |
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Common terms and phrases
analytic analytic propositions argument assertions atomic facts atomic sentences axioms Carnap complete concepts connection consequence consists construction deductive defined definition depends derived described determined discourse doctrine elementary experiences elementary propositions elimination empirical empiricism empiristic Erkenntnis essential example existence explain expression extensional follows given hence hypothesis identity impossible intersubjective kind laws limit logic and mathematics logical analysis logical constants Logical Positivism Logical Positivists logical syntax logical theory Logische meaning metaphysics method nature necessary non-empirical nonsense objects occur P₁ philosophy physical sentences physicalistic Positivistic possible prediction present Principia Mathematica principles prior probabilities problem of induction properties propositional function protocol language protocol sentences question realm relation result rules S₁ scientific sense significant similar simple solipsism statement structure supra symbols syntactical tautologies testable theory of probability true truth truth-functions values variable verification Viennese Circle Wittgenstein Wittgenstein's theory