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'''Logical positivism''' ( also '''logical empiricism''', '''neo-positivism''', and '''empirio-criticism''') was a philosophical school of thought originating in the 1920s that dealt with metaphysics. Its adherents attempted to rid philosophy of [[metaphysics]] by dismissing metaphysical statements as utterly meaningless.<ref name=stanford>[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/vienna-circle/ The Vienna Circle], ''The Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy''</ref><ref>Ayer, Alfred J.  Language, Truth, and Logic, 3rd ed.  New York, Dover Publications, 1952.</ref> Logical positivism is perhaps best known today for its defense of the [[verifiability criterion of meaning]].  

'''Logical positivism''' ( also '''logical empiricism''', '''neo-positivism''', and '''empirio-criticism''') was a philosophical school of thought originating in the 1920s that dealt with metaphysics. Its adherents attempted to rid philosophy of [[metaphysics]] by dismissing metaphysical statements as utterly meaningless.<ref name=stanford>[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/vienna-circle/ The Vienna Circle], ''The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy''</ref><ref>Ayer, Alfred J.  Language, Truth, and Logic, 3rd ed.  New York, Dover Publications, 1952.</ref> Logical positivism is perhaps best known today for its defense of the [[verifiability criterion of meaning]].  

Most influential in the early development of the movement were a group of German and Austrian intellectuals meeting at the University of Vienna.  This group of people became known as the Vienna Circle.  Its members included, at one time or another, [[Moritz Schlick]], [[Rudolf Carnap]], [[Otto Neurath]], and [[Hans Hahn]].  There was a similarly inclined group of intellectuals meeting in Berlin that comprised such figures as [[Hans Reichenbach]], [[Carl Gustave Hempel]], and [[David Hilbert]].   

Most influential in the early development of the movement were a group of German and Austrian intellectuals meeting at the University of Vienna.  This group of people became known as the Vienna Circle.  Its members included, at one time or another, [[Moritz Schlick]], [[Rudolf Carnap]], [[Otto Neurath]], and [[Hans Hahn]].  There was a similarly inclined group of intellectuals meeting in Berlin that comprised such figures as [[Hans Reichenbach]], [[Carl Gustave Hempel]], and [[David Hilbert]].