Define Logical Positivism.

Logical Positivism, also known as Logical Empiricism, was a philosophical movement prominent in the early to mid-20th century, especially in the Vienna Circle and Berlin Circle. Key figures associated with this movement include Moritz Schlick, Rudolf Carnap, and A.J. Ayer. The central tenet of Logical Positivism is the verification principle, which asserts that meaningful statements must be either empirically verifiable through observation or logically necessary.

Logical Positivists sought to eliminate metaphysical and speculative elements from philosophy, emphasizing the importance of empirical evidence and logical analysis. They believed that statements not verifiable through empirical means or not contributing to empirical knowledge were essentially devoid of meaning. This led to the rejection of traditional metaphysical and ethical claims as nonsensical.

The movement also emphasized the idea that meaningful statements could be translated into a language of empirical observation, paving the way for the development of formal languages and symbolic logic. Logical Positivism had a significant influence on the philosophy of science, advocating for a scientific worldview and contributing to the development of the philosophy of language.

Despite its impact, Logical Positivism faced criticisms, particularly regarding the verification principle's own verifiability, and the movement gradually waned in influence by the mid-20th century. However, its legacy persists in shaping discussions on the philosophy of science, language, and the demarcation between meaningful and meaningless statements.