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The philosophical writings of Otto Neurath, and their central
themes, have been described many times, by Carnap in his
authobiographical essay, by Ayer and Morris and Kraft decades ago,
by Haller and Hegselmann and Nemeth and others in recent years. How
extraordinary Neurath's insights were, even when they perhaps were
more to be seen as conjectures, aperfus, philosophical hypotheses,
tools to be taken up and used in the practical workshop of life;
and how prescient he was. A few examples may be helpful: (1)
Neurath's 1912 lecture on the conceptual critique of the idea of a
pleasure maximum [ON 50] substantially anticipates the development
of aspects of analytical ethics in mid-century. (2) Neurath's 1915
paper on alternative hypotheses, and systems of hypotheses, within
the science of physical optics [ON 81] gives a lucid account of the
historically-developed clashing theories of light, their un
realized further possibilities, and the implied contingencies of
theory survival in science, all within his framework that antedates
not only the quite similar work of Kuhn so many years later but
also of the Vienna Circle too. (3) Neurath's subsequent paper of
1916 investigates the inadequacies of various attempts to classify
systems of hypotheses [ON 82, and this volume], and sets forth a
pioneering conception of the metatheoretical task of scientific
philosophy.
The philosophical writings of Otto Neurath, and their central
themes, have been described many times, by Carnap in his
authobiographical essay, by Ayer and Morris and Kraft decades ago,
by Haller and Hegselmann and Nemeth and others in recent years. How
extraordinary Neurath's insights were, even when they perhaps were
more to be seen as conjectures, aperfus, philosophical hypotheses,
tools to be taken up and used in the practical workshop of life;
and how prescient he was. A few examples may be helpful: (1)
Neurath's 1912 lecture on the conceptual critique of the idea of a
pleasure maximum [ON 50] substantially anticipates the development
of aspects of analytical ethics in mid-century. (2) Neurath's 1915
paper on alternative hypotheses, and systems of hypotheses, within
the science of physical optics [ON 81] gives a lucid account of the
historically-developed clashing theories of light, their un
realized further possibilities, and the implied contingencies of
theory survival in science, all within his framework that antedates
not only the quite similar work of Kuhn so many years later but
also of the Vienna Circle too. (3) Neurath's subsequent paper of
1916 investigates the inadequacies of various attempts to classify
systems of hypotheses [ON 82, and this volume], and sets forth a
pioneering conception of the metatheoretical task of scientific
philosophy.
On the last day of his life, Otto Neurath had given help to a
Chinese philosopher who was writing about Schlick. Only an hour
before his death he said to me: "Nobody will do such a thing for
me." My answer then was: "Never mind, you have Bilston, isn't that
better?" There were con sultations in new housing schemes, an
exhibition, and hopes for a fruitful relationship of longer
duration. I did not dream at that time that I would one day work on
a book like this. The idea came from Horace M. Kallen, of the New
School for Social Research, New York, years later; to encourage me
he sent me his selection from William James' writings. Later I met
Robert S. Cohen. Carnap had sent him to me with the message: "If
you want to find out what my political views were in the twenties
and thirties, read Otto Neurath's books and articles of that time;
his views were also mine." In this way Robert Cohen became ac
quainted with Otto Neurath. Even more: he became interested; and
when I asked him, would he help me as an editor of an Otto N eurath
volume, he agreed at once. In previous years I had already asked a
number of Otto Neurath's friends to write down for me what they
especially remembered about him."
On the last day of his life, Otto Neurath had given help to a
Chinese philosopher who was writing about Schlick. Only an hour
before his death he said to me: "Nobody will do such a thing for
me." My answer then was: "Never mind, you have Bilston, isn't that
better?" There were con sultations in new housing schemes, an
exhibition, and hopes for a fruitful relationship of longer
duration. I did not dream at that time that I would one day work on
a book like this. The idea came from Horace M. Kallen, of the New
School for Social Research, New York, years later; to encourage me
he sent me his selection from William James' writings. Later I met
Robert S. Cohen. Carnap had sent him to me with the message: "If
you want to find out what my political views were in the twenties
and thirties, read Otto Neurath's books and articles of that time;
his views were also mine." In this way Robert Cohen became ac
quainted with Otto Neurath. Even more: he became interested; and
when I asked him, would he help me as an editor of an Otto N eurath
volume, he agreed at once. In previous years I had already asked a
number of Otto Neurath's friends to write down for me what they
especially remembered about him."
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