Mach, Ernst

Mach, Ernst
(1838–1916)
Austrian physicist and philosopher. Born in Turas, Mach studied at Vienna, and held chairs in mathematics at Graz, physics at Prague, and then history and theory of inductive science at Vienna. He is widely regarded as the major precursor of logical positivism . His philosophy is usually interpreted as radically empiricist: the mind knows only its own sensations, and theory is nothing but an instrument for predicting how they will occur. It was as a kind of subjective idealism that it was attacked by Lenin, and ironically the belief that the theory of relativity was inspired by Mach impeded its acceptance in the Soviet Union. But Mach's empiricism is allied with a new insistence on the importance of a logical analysis of the structure of scientific theory. Probably the most important work in which this combination is developed is Die Mechanik in ihrer Entwicklung historischkritisch dargestellt (1883, trs. as The Science of Mechanics, 1893). Mach's principal other treatise was the Beiträge zur Analyse der Empfindungen (1906, trs. as The Analysis of Sensations, 1914). Einstein paid him this tribute: ‘I can say with certainty that the study of Mach and Hume has been directly and indirectly a great help in my work…’ (obituary, Physikalische Zeitschrift, 1916).

Philosophy dictionary. . 2011.

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  • Mach,Ernst — Mach (mäk, mäKH), Ernst. 1838 1916. Austrian physicist and philosopher who played a central role in the development of logical positivism. His works include the influential Science of Mathematics (1883). * * * …   Universalium

  • Mach, Ernst — born Feb. 18, 1838, Chirlitz Turas, Moravia died Feb. 19, 1916, Haar, Ger. Austrian physicist and philosopher. After earning a doctorate in physics in 1860, he taught at the Universities of Vienna and Graz as well as Charles University in Prague …   Universalium

  • Mach , Ernst — (1838–1916) Austrian physicist Mach, who was born at Turas (now in the Czech Republic), had a somewhat unorthodox upbringing and education. His father was a man knowledgable in both the classics and the sciences who retired to farm near Vienna… …   Scientists

  • Mach, Ernst — (1838–1916)    A physicist and philosopher, Mach had a profound influence on Austrian science and culture generally. His teaching career at the University of Vienna was relatively brief, beginning in 1895 but severely curtailed by a serious… …   Historical dictionary of Austria

  • Mach, Ernst — ► (1838 1916) Físico y filósofo austríaco. Fue uno de los precursores de la teoría de la relatividad. * * * (18 feb. 1838, Chirlitz Turas, Moravia–19 feb. 1916, Haar, Alemania). Físico y filósofo austríaco. Después de obtener un doctorado en… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Mach, Ernst — See Science ( …   History of philosophy

  • Mach — Mach, Ernst …   Philosophy dictionary

  • Mach — Ernst …   Scientists

  • Ernst Mach — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Ernst Mach Ernst Mach en 1900 Filosofía de occidente Filosofía del siglo XX …   Wikipedia Español

  • Mach — [ mak ] n. pr. • v. 1950; nom d un physicien autrichien ♦ Aéronaut. Nombre de Mach : rapport entre la vitesse d un mobile et celle du son se propageant dans le même milieu. Ellipt Voler à Mach 2, à Mach 3, à 2, 3 fois la vitesse du son (⇒… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

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