The Transformation of Positivism: Alexius Meinong and European Thought, 1880 - 1920

The late 19th and early 20th centuries in European intellectual history saw a revolt against positivism and a quest to revise and expand the notion of reason. Alexius Meinong, an Austrian philosopher, played a significant role in these trends, studying under Fraz Brentano and influencing Bertrand Russell and German social philosophers. He also developed a theory of values and their meaning, which dealt with many of the issues raised by German social philosophers. The Transformation of Positivism explores Meinong's thought in the context of British empiricism and Austria's late 19th-century political and social conditions, tracing his intellectual development as he participated in the movement away from psychologism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 318 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

The late 19th and early 20th centuries in European intellectual history are characterized by an extraordinary level of creative richness. Historians have viewed this period as a significant backlash against positivism, as thinkers like Freud, Weber, Dilthey, and Durkheim sought to investigate and understand the irrational aspects of human behavior. At the same time, other thinkers such as Russell, Frege, Husserl, Wittgenstein, and Meinong were actively revising and expanding the concept of reason itself. This trend can be seen as a revolt within positivism.

David Lindenfeld demonstrates that these two trends were interconnected in the thought of Austrian philosopher Alexius Meinong, who played a prominent role in several intellectual movements. Meinong studied under the philosopher Fraz Brentano, whose ideas influenced the phenomenological movement. Additionally, Meinong exerted a significant influence on Bertrand Russell in the early 1900s, contributing to the history of British analytical philosophy. Furthermore, Meinong developed a comprehensive theory of values and their meaning, addressing many of the issues raised by German social philosophers like Weber and Dilthey. He also holds an acknowledged place in the history of psychology, as he is cited as a precursor of Gestalt psychology developed by Wertheimer, Kohler, and Koffka.

The Transformation of Positivism, the first part of Meinong's work, provides a comprehensive background of his thought by examining the long-run traditions of British empiricism and the political and social conditions of Austria in the late 19th century. This sets the stage for Meinong's unique philosophical approach, which combined elements of positivism, intuitionism, and metaphysics.

In conclusion, the late 19th and early 20th centuries in European intellectual history witnessed a remarkable surge of creativity and innovation. The period saw a clash between positivism and other philosophical schools of thought, as thinkers sought to revise and expand the notion of reason. Alexius Meinong, in particular, played a pivotal role in several intellectual movements and left a lasting impact on the fields of philosophy, psychology, and social sciences. His work continues to be studied and debated by scholars worldwide.

Weight: 590g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520358720