# Rudolf Carnap an W.V.O. Quine, 25. Februar 1934 Februar 1934

Dear Mrs. and Mr. Quine‚

I am very sorry I must say you today, that the Rockefeller FoundationI Rockefeller Foundation has sent me now a negative answer. In January one of the representativesP Miller, Harry Milton Jr., 1895–1980, Assistant Director der Rockefeller Foundation has been there, who told me, that my chances to get a fellowship are very small. His reasons were: 1) special fellowships were given very seldom, and now, as the foundation has little money, more seldom than ever; 2) the field of my works seems not to agree with the program of the foundation (for they give not fellowships for philosophy and they didn’t look at my works as pure mathematics; I had asked for a fellowship of foundations of mathematics); 3) for the reason the foundation has little money, they got order to prefer physics to all other sciences and not to spend so much money for the others. Meantimes those reasons have caused the negative decision of the FoundationI Rockefeller Foundation.

Nevertheless I hope to come to America. If not with a fellowship, then perhaps by an invitation for lectures for one or half a year. By my studies in the last time I have improved my English. I realised this in my speech with the RockefellerI Rockefeller Foundation manP Miller, Harry Milton Jr., 1895–1980, Assistant Director der Rockefeller Foundation in January; the speaking went on much smoother than in the last year with you. So I think I would be able to give lectures in English next fall. Today I asked LewisP Lewis, Clarence Irving, 1883–1964, am. Philosoph for a suggestion how to get an invitation. Do you know any way for this?

In the case that at present it will not be possible to get an invitation, I hope for the effect of my bookB 1934@Logische Syntax der Sprache, Wien, 1934, especially because there is a chance to get out an English translation of itB 1937@The Logical Syntax of Language, London, 1937. Mr. OgdenP Ogden, Charles Kay, 1889–1957, brit. Linguist und Philosoph wrote me about an opportunity for this. The question is not yet decided; it depends upon if the English and the German 🕮 publishers will come to an agreement. I hope, they will do. The bookB 1934@Logische Syntax der Sprache, Wien, 1934 is now in print; I got already half of the proof-prints.

We are very well. Now we have been one week in the Giant mountains for skiing. I like this sport more than any other. It gives such a good combination of pleasing movement and of enjoying the beautiful winter woods and mountains.

Are you bothP Quine, Willard Van Orman, 1908–2000, am. Philosoph, verh. mit Naomi Quine (1932–1947) und Marjorie Boynton Quine (1948–1998)P Quine, Naomi, 1907–1997, geb. Clayton, 1932–1947 verh. mit Willard Van Orman Quine well, healthy and happy? When will appear your bookB?

Do you know Prof. Charles W. MorrisP Morris, Charles W., 1901–1979, am. Philosoph, bis 1951 verh. mit Trude Morris, danach mit Ellen Ruth Morris (University of ChicagoI University of Chicago, Chicago IL)? FeiglP Feigl, Herbert, 1902–1988, öst.-am. Philosoph, seit 1931 verh. mit Maria Feigl has discussed with him, and he seems much interested in our Vienna CircleI Schlick-Zirkel, Wiener Kreis. He wrote me that in Spring or Summer 1934 he intends to come to Europe and spend some months at Prague and Vienna. (In his first letter he wrote also about Berlin; but he seems to have dropped this intention, perhaps because ReichenbachP Reichenbach, Hans, 1891–1953, dt.-am. Philosoph, ab 1921 verh. mit Elisabeth Reichenbach, ab 1946 verh. mit Maria Reichenbach is no more in Berlin, he is now professor in Istanbul). On account of the judgement of FeiglP Feigl, Herbert, 1902–1988, öst.-am. Philosoph, seit 1931 verh. mit Maria Feigl about MorrisP Morris, Charles W., 1901–1979, am. Philosoph, bis 1951 verh. mit Trude Morris, danach mit Ellen Ruth Morris, I am very pleased to get the opportunity of seeing him and speaking with him.

Sincerely yours
R. Carnap

Brief, msl., 2 Seiten, WQ; Briefkopf: gestempelt Prof. Dr. Rudolf Carnap  /  Prag XVII.  /  N. Motol, Pod Homolkou, msl. Prague, February, 25, 1934.

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