Logical Empirism and Critical Theory. Comments on Otto Neurath’s Reply to Max Horkheimer

Abstract

Horkheimer’s critique of Vienna’s Circle Logical Empiricism in his essay “The Latest Attack on Metaphysics” (1937) motivated Neurath’s response, who was the main target of his criticism, with the writing of the text “Unity of Science and Logical Empiricism: A Reply” (1937). In this article we try to elucidate the context of the Critical Theory and Logical Empiricism controversy. We take as the central axis of our exposure the series of topics on which Horkheimer based his criticism, as well as the different responses that Neurath gave  to those invectives. Likewise, the existing links between the first controversy and the “positivism dispute” (Positivismusstreit) are shown.