Sociology in the Framework of Physicalism

Abstract

The so-called ‘Vienna Circle of the scientific world-conception’ attempts to create an atmosphere free of metaphysics, along the lines of Mach, Poincare, Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein and others in order to further scientific work in all fields by means of logical analysis.1 It would be less misleading to speak of a ‘Vienna Circle of Physicalism’ because Vorld’ is not a term of scientific language, and because world -conception [Weltauffassung] is often taken to be interchangeable with world-view [Weltanschauung]. All the representatives of this Circle agree that there is no ‘philosophy’ existing side by side with the sciences as a discipline with its own special statements; all meaningful statements are contained in the sciences.