Carnap an Neurath, Chicago, 27. Januar 1942 Rudolf Carnap an Otto Neurath, 27. Januar 1942 Januar 1942

We were very glad to get good news from you in your letter of last September. I see that you are as active and as optimistic as always and I do not doubt that you will have good success in your activities. I hoped that you would come to this country at least for a visit of several months. Therefore I delayed sending your reprints. Since, however, it seems uncertain when you will come, I am now sending to you in five small packages four reprints of myself and 31 reprints of and about yourself, including “Cercle de Vienne”, and “Rationale Wirtschaftsbetrachtung”, for which you asked. I suppose that you have your and myamine publications in Psyche Miniatures, Encyclopedia and Erkenntnis; if this is not the case, please let me know, then I shall send you whatever I have. I address the packages to the Institute of Social History.

I read with great interest your article in the Aristotelian Society. I am, of course, entirely in agreement with your general attitude, but there is also a number of particular points where I have doubts or objections which I should like very much to discuss with you, whenever we meet again. For instance, I am not quite satisfied with your reply to RussellPRussell, Bertrand, 1872–1970, brit. Philosoph. Although RussellPRussell, Bertrand, 1872–1970, brit. Philosoph, in his book, adds to his empiricism certain modifications, with which I can not agree, his criticism of your formulations is made on the basis of empiricism. And although he is not right with respect to what you actually mean, he is not quite wrong with respect to your formulations, which as I predicted would provoke a criticism of this kind. RussellPRussell, Bertrand, 1872–1970, brit. Philosoph does not at all think of “absolute truth in itself” (p. 147)‚ but thinks of the empirical procedure of taking experiences as a basis for assertions. I should like you to read again my small paper on truth and verification (Congress 1935). I am sorry I have no reprints of it. Unfortunately, it seems entirely forgotten; if for instance, AyerPAyer, Alfred Jules, 1910–1989, brit. Philosoph had read it, he would have avoided his terrible misunderstandings of my views in his latest book.

Here some addresses; TarskiPTarski, Alfred, 1901–1983, poln.-am. Mathematiker und Logiker (Dept. of Mathematics Harvard), HelmerPHelmer, Olaf, 1910–2011, dt.-am. Mathematiker und Philosoph (496 Hudson St., New York City), Dr. Julius WeinbergPWeinberg, Julius, 1908–1971, am. Philosoph (359 Thurman St., Zanesville, Ohio), RougierPRougier, Louis, 1889–1982, fr. Philosoph (St. Johns College, Annapolis, Md.). KelsenPKelsen, Hans, 1881–1973, öst.-am. Rechtswiss. has no job, but a stipend from Rockefeller Foundation.aIn diesem Absatz sind die Namen Tarski und Weinberg hsl. hervorgehoben, am Seitenende die dazugehörige hsl. Bemerkung Neuraths Aristotelian!.🕮

We hope soon to get more detailed news about your plan with the Journal and the Library. If the Library is published in England, what would you think about an English translation of my “Introduction to Symbolic Logic” (Second Edition, entirely rewritten and much larger) as a volume in it? RosingerPRosinger, Kurt Edward, 1904–1985, am. Philosoph began the translation; but since the University of Chicago Press would not commit themselves definitely and did not make a contract with him, he stopped working at it after having translated about one third. If you agree, I shall ask the other editors of the Library for their opinion.

My “Introduction to Semantics” will appear in February I hope. I shall send you a copy as soon as it comes out. The second volume (Formalization of Logic) will soon go to print. I am now working on a system of modalities, and also on probability and degree of confirmation.

When shall we see both of you here? We should like very much to have some good and detailed talks about you and friends and the whole world and the future. Our love to both of you.