Module description
The so-called ‘Vienna Circle’ shaped the idea that philosophy is a science and set the agenda for much 20th century philosophy. Philosophers such as Quine, Putnam and, through them, Lewis are influenced by the Vienna Circle. In the module we will work through some of the pre-history of the Vienna Circle in order to get a grip on the Anti-Metaphysical Stance of the Circle. We will then explore its main positive doctrines.
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https://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/philosophy/modules/level6/6aan0b52.aspx
Assessment details
Summative assessment:1 x 3,000 word essay (100%)
Educational aims & objectives
The Module aims to introduce students into the main tenets of the philosophy of the Vienna Circle/Logical Empiricism.
Learning outcomes
Students will possess knowledge of the main doctrines of logical positivism and be able to evaluate them.
Teaching pattern
One one-hour weekly lecture and one one-hour weekly seminar over ten weeks.
Suggested reading list
Becher, E. 1905. The Philosophical Views of Ernst Mach. The Philosophical Review 14, 535-562.
Blackmore, J.T. 1972. Ernst Mach: His Work, Life and Influence. Berkeley, Los Angeles, London: University of California Press.
Blumenberg, A.E; Feigl, H. 1931. Logical Positivism. The Journal of Philosophy 11, 281-96.
Edgar, S. 2013. The Limits of Experience and Explanation: F.A. Lange and
Becher, E. 1905. The Philosophical Views of Ernst Mach. The Philosophical Review 14, 535-562.
Blackmore, J.T. 1972. Ernst Mach: His Work, Life and Influence. Berkeley, Los Angeles, London: University of California Press.
Blumenberg, A.E; Feigl, H. 1931. Logical Positivism. The Journal of Philosophy 11, 281-96.
Edgar, S. 2013. The Limits of Experience and Explanation: F.A. Lange and
Becher, E. 1905. The Philosophical Views of Ernst Mach. The Philosophical Review 14, 535-562.
Blackmore, J.T. 1972. Ernst Mach: His Work, Life and Influence. Berkeley, Los Angeles, London: University of California Press.
Blumenberg, A.E; Feigl, H. 1931. Logical Positivism. The Journal of Philosophy 11, 281-96.
Edgar, S. 2013. The Limits of Experience and Explanation: F.A. Lange and
Mach on Things in Themselves. British Journal for the History of Philosophy 21, 100-121.
Friedman, M. 1983. Critical Notice M. Schlick Collected Papers. Philosophy of Science 50, 498-513.
¾ 1997. Helmholtz’s Zeichentheorie and Schlick’s Allgemeine Erkenntnislehre: Early Logical Empiricism and Its Nineteenth-Century Background. Philosophical Topics 25, 19-50.
¾2012. Scientific Philosophy from Helmholtz to Carnap and Quine. In Creath, R. (ed.) Rudolf Carnap and the Legacy of Logical Empiricism. Dordrecht: Springer, 1-11.
Hamilton, A. 1990. Ernst Mach and the Elimination of Subjectivity. Ratio 3, 117-135.
Kraft, V. 1953. The Vienna Circle. The Origin of Neo-Positivism. New York.