The Logical Empiricist Criticism to Metaphysics: Otto Neurath on Science and Politics in Urban Planning
OTTO NEURATH SOBRE CIÊNCIA E POLÍTICA NO URBANISMO
Keywords:
Vienna Circle, Modernism, Le Corbusier, Carnap, Philosophy of TechnologyAbstract
Members of the Vienna Circle argued that statements of traditional metaphysics lack cognitive meaning, as they are not analytical and do not transparently relate to experience. This essay examines the political use of this criticism: by undermining the cognitive pretensions of traditional metaphysics, the aim is also to criticize political positions that utilize metaphysics to claim alleged certainty. This perspective is evident in Otto Neurath’s work: he believed that the limits of scientific knowledge also limit the possibility of determining solutions to experienced problems. This essay analyzes the metaphysical foundations of urbanism presented by Le Corbusier, exemplifying Neurath’s critique. The influential Swiss architect understood that the beauty in his art came from a fundamental harmony of the universe. While it may seem that this point of view is unproblematic in terms of aesthetics, it should be noted that Le Corbusier transposed this approach to urbanism, claiming that his urban-planning projects would be universally adequate. With this alleged certainty derived from metaphysics, Le Corbusier dodged a political discussion that, as the critique of logical empiricism shows, is inseparable from the epistemological discussion in the domain of technology.
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