Neurath an Carnap, Oxford, 15. Juli 1943 Otto Neurath an Rudolf Carnap, 15. Juli 1943 Juli 1943

I am so busy with many things, that I shall write only a few lines today. Many thanks for both volumes on semantics, and your letters. We are very sorry that you have to take care of your health. We hope you will tell us, how you are going on now. Your letter to the Press is excellent. I wrote a long letter, have sent two copies to MorrisPMorris, Charles W., 1901–1979, am. Philosoph, verh. mit Trude Morris to send one to you. I hope you agree with me. IN NO CASE INTERRUPTION, I should prefer to find another publisher, should the press really want to get rid of the enterprise, but first we shall try to make a nice loyal compromise. My monograph is waiting for the answer, then I shall send it to MorrisPMorris, Charles W., 1901–1979, am. Philosoph, verh. mit Trude Morris for printing.

I shall write you on Semantics in detail. I tried to find out how you introduce the “existential” statements, I could not find any information. The fact that RussellPRussell, Bertrand, 1872–1970, brit. Philosoph already introduced this “ontological” element into his logic does not help you and me. All his sad statements in his last book are more or less connected with his “ontological” start. I think so. The point is: We are using the sentence “there is an elephant here”, when people accept a certain group of statements, but we cannot compare any statement with “an elephant is here” as long as we are discussing the usage of expressions, sentences etc. That is that.

War is going on very well, but it will need about two years to get rid of this plague in Europe. And the future does not look nice. What a big weight will be removed after the defeat of the Nazis, but imagine Germany, Austria, Holland …most of our friends either away or killed, or suicide …and the atmosphere full of distrust, envy, hate etc. …I assume they will kill many of the Nazis but I fear there will be Nazis who will transform themselves into Antihitlerites and terrorize our friends as before only using another flag …The DarlanPDarlan, François, 1881–1942, fr. Admiral und Politiker story is sad and bitter.

We personally are happy and lucky. The American Ambassador becoming HON. DR. in Birmingham spoke mainly on ISOTYPE as a future aid of international education …fine. Many people interested in our work, our charts appreciated in the press etc., everything going on very well. Son is now Dr., Columbia, very proud – and he has a right to be proud after so short a time. Now he has two Dr. degrees, law and social sciences, with fellowship etc., post etc … We have a nice team of nice collaborators, mostly British, we have a nice furnished house with a nice garden – yesterday an Owl on a pole, then flying away with heavy wings …apples, gooseberries etc., flowers …good friends, radio apparatus, many books, and KaempffertPKaempffert, Waldemar, 1877–1956, am. Wissenschaftsjournalist und Museumsdirektor, Vetter von Otto Neurath🕮{}sending American periodicals and cuttings, reprints etc. Our files are growing up again and in a few years we shall feel like years ago, before HitlerPHitler, Adolf, 1889–1945, öst.-dt. Politiker grasped all our belongings.

What about our friends, NagelPNagel, Ernest, 1901–1985, am. Philosoph, verh. mit Edith Nagel, FeiglPFeigl, Herbert, 1902–1988, öst.-am. Philosoph, seit 1931 verh. mit Maria Feigl etc … With kindest regards from both of us to both of you