A CRITIQUE OF LOGICAL POSITIVISM AS A NEW DIMENSION OF HUMANISM AND THE SCIENTIFIC PARADIGM OF KNOWLEDGE

Abstract

One very fundamental issue associated with the emergence or advent of logical positivism is that this philosophical movement with scientific orientation is characterized by plethora of absurdities and gross inconsistencies. We, as human beings, cannot really wipe out metaphysical realities. Logical analysis of propositional statements could be appropriate in our linguistic experiences but it is not just enough even what we claim to be accurate, precise, and certain in our logical statements may not be really so. There is no perfection in our linguistic analysis and what cannot be described by language should be outrightly discarded. Language has a fundamental functionalist assumption and use function of describing our world of reality. No philosophical theory is sacrosanct. Every philosophical problem and every theoretical analysis has its own inherent inadequacies or gross inconsistencies and shortcomings. Although, there are some senses in the philosophical movement of the analytical movement or logical positivists. Sense data, verifiability, falsifiability, certainty, precision, and accuracy remain the basis of experiential knowledge. This paper adopts the method of analysis in unravelling the various forces of arguments that were actually postulated or asserted by the logical positivists, otherwise known as members of the Vienna Circle. This paper concludes that sense data remains the basis of our experiential knowledge and metaphysics cannot be completely eroded or wiped out. Logic remains the essence of philosophy. Science is subject to public scrutiny and logical positivism is a new dimension of humanism.