Chapter 6 Logical Positivism

Question 1

“…” Founder Vienna Circle. Was shot which ended the circle.

Answer 1

Moritz Schlick

Question 2

The extreme Positivist group held “…” in high regard, and was based on the ideas of “…” & “…”.

Answer 2

Comte, Mach & Wittgenstein.

Question 3

Aim of Logical Positivism

Answer 3

To end Metaphysics and establish logical positivism as main philosophy.

Question 4

Wrote the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

Answer 4

Wittgenstein

Question 5

3 theories by Wittgenstein’s Tractatus adopted by the Vienna Circle

Answer 5

1. Formal and Factual statements
2. Verification as Demarcation
3. Job description of philosophers

Question 6

1. Formal and Factual statements

Answer 6

Formal: Statements of logic (maths) - based on the structure of language

Factual: Derived from experience. Synthetic posteriori.

Question 7

2. Verification as Demarcation

Answer 7

To verify is to ensure something is meaningful.

Comparing it with reality.

Question 8

3. Job description of philosophers

Answer 8

Carnap: Philosophers’ problems are either empirical problems, which should be left to science or are pseudo-problems.

Question 9

Wittgenstein and the circle differed in: …

Answer 9

Hatred for metaphysics

Question 10

Wittgenstein’s quote on metaphysics

Answer 10

What we cannot speak about we must pass over in silence.

Worüber man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen.

Question 11

Neurath’s critical response to Wittgenstein:

Answer 11

There is nothing beyond the grasp of science: what cannot be said simply does not exist.

Question 12

The phenomenal basis of science

Answer 12

Mach agreed with hume that we need to reduce science to certainty.
Mach made protocol sentences: Direct report of events that cannot be argued with.

Question 13

Physicalism

Answer 13

Reaction to phenomenalism. The former was too subjective. Neurath and Carnap made physicalism. To ensure inter-subjective verification.
Statements are based on statements, not reality.