Encyclopedia and Utopia

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This Volume 4 of the Vienna Circle Yearbook is dedicated to Otto Neurath, a prominent figure of the Vienna Circle and a representative of the culture from which it emerged. It situates Neurath's work within the realms of Encyclopedism—serving as a theoretical tool for the ongoing project of (post-) enlightenment—and Utopianism, which aims for systematic societal and scientific improvement. The volume features recent research, critical surveys, and assessments of Neurath's diverse and impressive contributions. Topics covered include the history and philosophy of science, epistemology, sociology, economics, pictorial statistics (ISOTYPE), and museology. Special emphasis is placed on Neurath's methodological holism and epistemological naturalism, as well as the interrelations among disciplines in his vision of the Unity of Science. Contributors largely agree that reconstructing Neurath's scientific conception addresses crucial issues for the responsible application of science in both natural and social contexts. Additionally, the volume includes Neurath's unpublished manuscript on visual education, a report on archival holdings related to his work, and a review section on recent publications concerning Neurath and Logical Empiricism. An overview of the Institute Vienna Circle's activities in 1996/97 concludes the volume. The audience includes philosophers, historians of science, and sociologists, as well as scholars in adult educ