Logical Positivism: The Formal, the Factual & the Fictional

14 important questions on Logical Positivism: The Formal, the Factual & the Fictional

Who belonged to the Schlick-Kreis?

Schlick, Neurath, Carnap

Who belonged to the Berlin group?

Hempel, Reichenbach

Who wrote the Tractatus?

Wittgenstein.
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What are the 3 claims that were adopted as the Circle's most basic tenets?

1. Distinction between formal and factual statements.
2. Verification theory of meaning.
3. Conception of philosophy as logical analysis.

What are the 2 categories of statements according to the new positivists?

1. Category of logical/mathematical statements.
2. Category of factual statements.

What are the 3 ideas of an Demarcation Criterion according to the logical positivists?

- Hume: Copy Principle.
- Comte: power to predict.
- Wittgenstein: Method of Verification.

What is the problem of philosophy?

It makes theories about reality on basis of non-empirical resources, this is synthetic, a priori knowledge, which does not exist according to the logical positivists.

What becomes the task of philosophy?

Logical analysis of language & scientific method.

What must happen with complex statements according to Wittgenstein?

Complex statements must be reduced to elementary statements which can be brought in direct contact with reality.

What does 'in direct contact with reality' mean according to Mach?

Only what is given in experience is to be trusted, all statements must be reducible to the given.

What is the advantage and the disadvantage of Physicalism?

Advantage: intersubjectivity.
Disadvantage: no certainty --> relativism.

What are the two parties of the protocol sentence debate?

Conservative right wing: Schlick, Waismann.
Left wing: Carnap, Neurath

What is the problem of protocol sentences according to the left wing?

Since these simple experiences are only accessible to yourself, this makes verification a wholly private affair.

How can you reach communication between scientists?

Neurath: shift phenominalism to physicalism.

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