Moritz Schlick
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Moritz Schlick | |
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| Born | 14 April 1882 |
| Died | 22 June 1936 |
| Nationality | German |
| Occupation | Philosopher |
| Known for | Logical empiricism; philosophy of science |
| Notable work | General Theory of Knowledge; Space and Time in Contemporary Physics |
Moritz Schlick was a philosopher whose work addressed epistemology, the philosophy of science, and the logical analysis of knowledge. He is associated with the development of logical empiricism and with efforts to clarify scientific concepts through analysis of language and verification.
His career was closely tied to academic and intellectual institutions rather than the construction of a single systematic doctrine.
Early life and education
Schlick was born in Berlin, Germany. He studied physics and philosophy at several German universities, completing a doctorate under Max Planck.
His early work focused on the philosophical implications of developments in modern physics.
Philosophy of science
Schlick examined the nature of scientific knowledge, explanation, and confirmation. He argued that philosophical problems should be addressed by analyzing the logical structure of scientific statements rather than by speculative metaphysics.
He emphasized clarity, testability, and conceptual precision.
Vienna Circle
Schlick served as a central organizer of the Vienna Circle, an informal group of philosophers and scientists concerned with logical analysis and empiricism. The group discussed verification, meaning, and the role of philosophy in relation to science.
Schlick’s role was primarily coordinative rather than doctrinal.
Epistemology
In General Theory of Knowledge, Schlick examined the sources and limits of knowledge, rejecting both metaphysical speculation and purely formal accounts detached from experience.
He treated knowledge claims as grounded in empirical verification and logical structure.
Relationship to institutions
Schlick held academic posts in Germany and Austria, most notably at the University of Vienna. His teaching and seminars served as a focal point for collaborative philosophical work.
He published regularly but did not establish a closed theoretical system.
Death
Schlick was killed in 1936 by a former student. The circumstances of the killing were later interpreted in various political and ideological contexts.
Limits and uncertainty
Schlick’s writings do not fully resolve disagreements within logical empiricism regarding verification and meaning. Some of his positions were later revised or abandoned by others associated with the movement.
Historical interpretation of his role varies.
Status
Moritz Schlick is regarded as a central figure in early logical empiricism. His work remains relevant to discussions in philosophy of science and epistemology.