verification principle

Question 1

who made the verification principle?

Answer 1

A.J Ayer - a logical positivist

Question 2

what makes a statement meaningful?

Answer 2

all meaningful statements are verifiable

Question 3

what makes a statement verifiable?

Answer 3

they are either analytic or synthetic

Question 4

whats an analytic statement?

Answer 4

inherently correct e.g. mathematic statements

Question 5

what are synthetic statements?

Answer 5

confirmable by observation

Question 6

the two pronged test

Answer 6

1. is the statement true by definition? (analytic)
2. is the statement verifiable? (synthetic)
   any statement that fails this is not meaningful

Question 7

what is the weaker version of the verification principle?

Answer 7

verification in practise - strong version
verification in principle - weaker version - when we know a statement can be proven but not right now e.g. there is intelligent life elsewhere

Question 8

is religious language meaningful according to the verification principle

Answer 8

religious language are neither analytical nor synthetic - therefore, religious language is meaningful. ayer deems that religious language is ‘nonsensical’

Question 9

strengths of the verification principle

Answer 9

• it takes seriously the importance of empirical evidence. supports modern day society and is consistent with modern day beliefs
• fits with scientific understanding of reality

Question 10

weaknesses of the verification principle

Answer 10

• the verification principle fails its own test - the principle is too restrictive
• original principle criticised as too narrow. as some scientific and universal statements may be rendered as not meaningful
  -many philosophers believe that ethical, religious statements are meaningful

Question 11

responses

Answer 11

john hick - celestial city parable
- celestial city represents heaven
hick argues that religious statements are only verifiable and fasifiable but after death