Carnap und Ina Carnap an Marie Neurath, o. O., 2. Januar 1946 Rudolf und Ina Carnap an Marie Neurath, 2. Januar 1946 Januar 1946

We are very much distressed that this, our first letter to you, is caused by the sad news of Neurath’s death. It came so unexpectedly that we could hardly believe it when we saw it by chance in a newspaper. Felix KaufmannPKaufmann, Felix, 1895–1949, öst.-am. Philosoph wrote that he had a very cheerful letter from Neurath only a short while ago. Thus we assume that you too have been unprepared for it. We are sad with you. The last years have not been easy for the two of you, and we always admired how courageously you took it. Not a single time has Neurath mentioned hardships in the life in England. He only wrote about finding new friends, reconstructing his work, enjoying life with you. It is good that he was still able to see the downfall of the Nazis and their cause. His death is a tragic loss not only to you and to his friends, and to the Unity of Science Movement, but also to the cause of democracy, to the fight against fascism. I think, he had at times a hard life, but it must have been a rich life; and though his tender soul caused him greater anguishes than the tougher ones experience, it must also have brought him deeper satisfactions.

I don’t know how much you have followed the correspondence between Neurath and Carnap. If you have, you can imagine how deeply sorry Carnap now is when all the great arguments – advanced on both sides as safeguards for future occasions – have proven futile because there will be no future controversies. We only hope that both of you always knew that in spite of heated arguments Carnap always felt that he was a close friend of Neurath’s. Ah, but there could have been more of the kindness which Neurath always considered as the most important consideration!

We wonder whether you intend to carry on the Institute, and whether you have enough experienced help for the work. We hope that you have good friends in England so that you will not be too lonely; but we realize that friendships made later in life and in a new country hardly ever become as close as those made in youth – we at least have found it that way in America. Is there anything we can do for you that might help? Will you let us know if we can do something for you, financial or otherwise? KaufmannaVermutlich Kaufmann. thought you might want to come to America; if so, perhaps we could assist you?

Please remember that we both are your friends and that we grieve with you.