# Neurath an Carnap, Oxford, 4. April 1941 Otto Neurath an Rudolf Carnap, 4. April 1941 April 1941

Dear Carnap‚

what a pleasure to get my notes for the monograph in the EncyclopediaI Foundations of the Unity of Science.a Ksl. geschickt 22.2.. That helps me very much in my attempt to reconstruct my own ideas on this matter. In the meantime I have learned a lot from modern literature I was in a position to consult here in the Bodleian LibraryI Bodleian Library, Hauptbibliothek der Universität Oxford.

We are very busy with our studies in different fields, first of all we are collecting for the book TOLERATION AND PERSECUTIONB. Many other things have to be done, too. We have now two technical collaborators who are in a position to use a printing press and we go on with full speed; we are buying books, collecting newspaper cuttings, creating new files, so to speak the nucleus of a fine institute. We learned from friends that many people in London and elsewhere are interested in our work; I shall be invited to go to London to read a paper about actual problems in this field etc.

The almond trees are blossoming, the birds are singing and the whole atmosphere is very nice, in spite of war and danger. I am buying my own books – I see Carnap’s works in German and English ona in the shelves, but I anticipate he will send me his books and articlesb Ksl. 6. II. Testability geschickt über Stebbing. very soon. Could you be kind enough to send me my EMPIRISCHE SOZIOLOGIEB Neurath, Otto!1931@Empirische Soziologie. Der wissenschaftliche Gehalt der Geschichte und Nationalökonomie, Wien, 1931 as soon as possible. No copy is in the library here and I need it very much for my discussion class. Could you be kind enough to send me one copy of the yellow bookletB Verein Ernst Mach!1929@Wissenschaftliche Weltauffassung. Der Wiener Kreis, Wien, 1929 and some of my articles of which you have reprints?

What do you think about Russell’sP Russell, Bertrand, 1872–1970, brit. Philosoph last bookB Russell, Bertrand!1940@An Inquiry into Meaning and Truth, New York, 1940? It looks somewhat strange? Neo-neo-Platonic Mysticism – I think it is full of misunderstandings. He seems not to grasp our purpose. His position – an interesting coincidence – seems to be very similar to Schlick’sP Schlick, Moritz, 1882–1936, dt.-öst. Philosoph, verh. mit Blanche Guy Schlick conception in his latest days. How to safe the absolute remainder of relativism. Probably I shall write something about this theme.

I hope that FrankP Frank, Philipp, 1884–1966, öst.-am. Physiker und Philosoph, verh. mit Hania Frank, Bruder von Josef Frank will b beelaborate his monographB Frank, Philipp!1946@„Foundations of Physics“, Foundations of the Unity of Science 1 (7), 1946, 423–504 for the EncyclopediaI Foundations of the Unity of Science and send the additional chapter on cosmology to FreundlichP Finlay–Freundlich, Erwin, 1885–1964, dt.-brit. Physiker. Please, press this lazy fellow to do something. Many thanks my dear Carnap for the money you provided for me. I hope we shall be very soon in a position to repay the sum.

Please ask our friends to send us books, newspaper cuttings, reprints, letters etc. that we have our usual intellectual environment. We are completely recreated by our camp isolation and are prepared to work more than 🕮{}before. It is some time necessary to create a good environment. Until now the Britons are very kind and helpful to us, especially the university people.

You did not answer my question why you do not intend to publish semanticsB in our LIBRARY OF UNIFIED SCIENCEI Library of Unified Science. I asked you to cable me, whether you are prepared to do it or not. You see I prefer to make an agreement with a publisher who pays for the JOURNAL and gives us free hand in publishing books in the library, as van Stockum did. I hope I shall settle the whole matter within a relatively short time.

Tell me something about HarvardI Harvard University, Cambridge MA, about men and opinions, about FrankP Frank, Philipp, 1884–1966, öst.-am. Physiker und Philosoph, verh. mit Hania Frank, Bruder von Josef Frank and TarskiP Tarski, Alfred, 1901–1983, poln.-am. Mathematiker und Logiker etc., about the various scientists etc. We shall visit the US as soon as possible.

Our ideal is to live quietly, but we have to meet many people and to attend lectures etc., sometimes I have to read a paper etc.

What do you know about GrellingP Grelling, Kurt, 1886–1942, dt. Philosoph? etc. We learned from friends that Prof. JosephP Joseph, Heinrich, 1875–1941, öst. Zoologe (the biologist) committed suicide at Vienna together with his wife, his wife’s mother etc.

PaulP Neurath, Paul, 1911–2001, öst.-am. Soziologe, Sohn von Anna Schapire-Neurath (1877–1911) und Otto Neurath stays at Göteborg and tries to go to the US. He asked for an affidavit but did not receive it until now. I hope he will succeed in this effort.

Please remember me and MaryP Neurath, Marie, 1898–1986, geb. Reidemeister, auch Reidemeisterin, Mieze, MR, Mary, dt.-brit. Pädagogin und Sozialwiss., Schwester von Kurt Reidemeister, heiratete 1941 Otto Neurath to InaP Carnap, Ina (eig. Elisabeth Maria immacul[ata] Ignatia), 1904–1964, geb. Stöger, heiratete 1933 Rudolf Carnap. We should appreciate it if she would tell us something about the American life. Our only source of permanent information isc are the New York TimesI New York Times, Zeitung.

We anticipate a long letter from you

with kind regards from both of us

ever yours

NB. Please have you no opportunity to help M. STRAUSSP Strauss, Martin, 1907–1978, dt.-brit. Physiker und Philosoph, verh. mit Anna Strauss, his grant will expire this month and he has no job. It would help him if he were in a position to tell the Society for the Protection of Science and LearningI, that he has an opportunity to get something in the future in the US.

Brief, msl., 2 Seiten, RC 102-55-20 (Dsl. ON 222); Briefkopf: msl. 64 Park Town, Oxford\,/\,4th April 1941, hsl. Copy. Air Mail, ksl. Luftpost, bekommen 25.4.; statt schriftlicher Signatur Zeichnung eines Elefanten.

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