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University of Berlin
Carl G. Hempel studied philosophy, physic and mathematics at the Universities of Göttingen and Heidelberg before going to the University of Berlin. Impressed by the work of David Hilbert and Paul Bernays on the foundation of mathematics and introduced to the studies of Rudolf Carnap by Reichenbach. Which led him to believe that the application of symbolic logic held the key to resolving a broad range of problems in philosophy. -
The Vienna Circle
Hempel spent the fall semester at the University of Vienna studying with Carnap, Moritz Schlick, and Frederick Waismann, who were advocates of logical positivism and members of "the Vienna Circle". Hempel would become the most astute critic of that movement and to contribute to its refinement as logical empiricism. -
A purely Syntactical Definition of Confirmation
Hempel introduces the raven paradox by explaining that if a researched wishes to confirm the hypothesis that all ravens are black by using the logic of induction. Then, therefor all birds that are black are ravens. The more black ravens that are observed the more likely the hypothesis becomes. If the researcher stays inside and examines anything but a raven and its color. The researcher will come to the conclusion that all non-black objects are not ravens. -
Studies in the Logic of Confirmation
Hempel publishes an article on the Studies in the Logic of Confirmation. The objective of the study was to define the characteristics of an empirical statements capability of being tested by a confrontation with experimental findings. With those experimental finding results of suitable experiments or focused observations.[3] -
The concept of cognitive Significance: A Reconsideration
Hempel published an article for Yale University on his thoughts about the concept of cognitive significance about how the general conception of cognitive significant led to the rejection as devoid of logical and empirical meaning, of various formulations in speculative metaphysics.[4] -
Recent Problems of Induction
Hempel talks about the problem that is cause by induction, the problem of justifying the way in which, we base beliefs and assertions about empirical matters on logically inconclusive evidence. This paper Hempel proposes a discussion about some of the more recent problems of induction that have risen in the last three decades.[5] -
Summary
Throughout Hempel's life he has published many articles and papers that led him to 'dominate' the philosophy of science world. Hempel embraced "logical empiricists" above "logical positivism" because he believed that the term "positivism' invoked a materialists metaphysics that empiricists did not need to embrace[1]. Hempel shaped the world for future scientists with the raven paradox. Also known as "Hempel's Paradox"[2]. -
Continued Citations
Continued....
4. Hempel, Carl G. "The Concept of Cognitive Significance: A Reconsideration." Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Vol 80, no. 1, 1954, pp. 61-77. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/20023635
5. Hempel, Carl Gustav. "Recent Problems of Induction." Fitelson.org fitelson.org/confirmation/hempel_recent_problems.pdf -
Citations
1.Fetzer, James, "Carl Hempel", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2021 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.),
https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2021/entries/hempel/
2. "Hempel's paradox." Oxford Reference. . . Date of access 25 Apr. 2021, https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095930321
3. Hempel, Carl G. “Studies in the Logic of Confirmation (I.).” Mind, vol. 54, no. 213, 1945, pp. 1–26. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/2250886. Accessed 25 Apr. 2021.