Lecture 1 Summary
Logical Positivism: all statements that cannot be proven empirically are meaningless
Ex: ethics, metaphysics, “Jim is an asshole”
Based on positivism (Comte) and empiricism (Locke, Hume)
Science = Facts + theories (laws)
o Observation of facts
o Deriving and testing theories (laws) using logic
Empiricism: observations (facts) are the basis for knowledge (science)
Positivism: facts are objective (immediately given, unchangeable, all the same), independent of theory (certain metaphysics)
History of Positivism
1600: Francis Bacon – empirical model of science = observation and organization of facts
Spreadsheet model = gas law: pressure x volume ~ Temperature
1700: Empiricist (Locke, Hume): Knowledge acquired through experience
1850: Compte’s positivism: science should focus on “positive” observables
No metaphysics/speculation
1900: Mach’s positivism: start from observable facts.
No metaphysics/speculation
No theories/models (atoms or molecules: not observable)
1900-1920: ^ however, models were used in physics (theory of relativity, quantum physics)
1920: Neo-positivism or logical positivism
Logical Positivism: all statements that cannot be proven empirically are meaningless
Ex: ethics, metaphysics, “Jim is an asshole”
Based on positivism (Comte) and empiricism (Locke, Hume)
Science = Facts + theories (laws)
o Observation of facts
o Deriving and testing theories (laws) using logic
Empiricism: observations (facts) are the basis for knowledge (science)
Positivism: facts are objective (immediately given, unchangeable, all the same), independent of theory (certain metaphysics)
History of Positivism
1600: Francis Bacon – empirical model of science = observation and organization of facts
Spreadsheet model = gas law: pressure x volume ~ Temperature
1700: Empiricist (Locke, Hume): Knowledge acquired through experience
1850: Compte’s positivism: science should focus on “positive” observables
No metaphysics/speculation
1900: Mach’s positivism: start from observable facts.
No metaphysics/speculation
No theories/models (atoms or molecules: not observable)
1900-1920: ^ however, models were used in physics (theory of relativity, quantum physics)
1920: Neo-positivism or logical positivism
