Question

What differentiates Logical Positivism of the Vienna Circle from the earlier forms of Empiricism and Positivism of Hume, Mach, Comte and Mill?

• A. In holding that the ultimate basis of knowledge rests upon public experimental verification rather than personal experience.
• B. In holding that metaphysical doctrines are not false but meaningless.
• C. In holding that all genuine knowledge about nature can be expressed in a single language common to all the sciences.
• D. In confirming the possibility of synthetic a priori.

Hint:

Logical Positivism is distinguished by its emphasis on the verification principle, which asserts that only knowledge verifiable through empirical observation or logical analysis is meaningful.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B, C

Step 1: Understanding Logical Positivism.
Logical Positivism, developed by the Vienna Circle, differentiated itself from earlier forms of Empiricism and Positivism by focusing on the verification principle, which emphasized the role of public experimental verification. Unlike earlier thinkers such as Hume, Mach, Comte, and Mill, who placed importance on individual experience or sense perception, Logical Positivism sought a more rigorous, scientifically-based validation of knowledge. Step 2: Explanation of the Options.
- (A) In holding that the ultimate basis of knowledge rests upon public experimental verification rather than personal experience: This is correct. Logical Positivism emphasized the verification of knowledge through public, repeatable experiments rather than individual personal experiences.
- (B) In holding that metaphysical doctrines are not false but meaningless: This is also correct. Logical Positivists viewed metaphysical statements as meaningless because they could not be empirically verified, a departure from earlier views that might have considered them as false or speculative.
- (C) In holding that all genuine knowledge about nature can be expressed in a single language common to all the sciences: This is correct. Logical Positivism proposed that scientific knowledge could be unified into a single logical framework that could express all truths about nature.
- (D) In confirming the possibility of synthetic a priori: This is incorrect. Logical Positivism rejected the idea of synthetic a priori knowledge, which had been a feature of Kant’s philosophy. They argued that all knowledge must be empirically verified. Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answers are (A), (B), and (C) because these key principles define the unique approach of Logical Positivism, setting it apart from earlier forms of Empiricism and Positivism.