more from A.J. Ayer

Single Idea 5169

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 1. Empiricism]

Full Idea

The empiricist doctrine to which we are committed is a logical doctrine concerning the distinction between analytic propositions, synthetic propositions, and metaphysical verbiage.

Clarification

'Verbiage' is pointless, empty words

Gist of Idea

My empiricism logically distinguishes analytic and synthetic propositions, and metaphysical verbiage

Source

A.J. Ayer (Language,Truth and Logic [1936], Ch.7)

Book Reference

Ayer,A.J.: 'Language, Truth and Logic' [Penguin 1974], p.161


A Reaction

This is the tough logical positivist version of empiricism. The whole project stumbles on the relationship between a synthetic proposition and its verifying experiences. How close? What of wild speculations? The analytic part is interesting, though.