Alois Riehl’s Critical Realism. Spatial and Temporal Foundations of Science

• Applicant: Dr. Rudolf Meer
• Subject Area: History of Philosophy ; History of Science
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 521640504

Wider research context/theoretical framework Alois Riehl developed in his three-volume work “The Philosophical Criticism and its Significance for the Positive Science” (1876, 1879, 1887) a sophisticated philosophy of realism, and defends it with the slogan “Sentio, ergo sum et est”. Although the question of a mind-independent reality is intensively and widely discussed in history and philosophy of science, this is an almost forgotten book. Hypotheses/research questions/objectives By focusing on Riehl’s revision of Kant’s doctrine of space and time, and its adaptation for the positive sciences, it becomes possible to understand the Philosophical Criticism as a problem-oriented system that brings together all partial aspects, and provides a comprehensive systematic investigation (research cluster 1). In order to give a historical analysis of Riehl’s theory of space and time (especially from the 1860s to the 1880s), the Philosophical Criticism is examined based on concrete scientific problems, such as the status of geometric axioms, the dimension of the world, the cause-effect relationship, and the determination of the limits of physiology and psychology (research cluster 2). This results in a conception of philosophy of science in which the seemingly anachronistic adherence to an apriorism of time and space enables a principle orientated empiricism, and thus a critical but qualitative realism (research cluster 3). These three theoretical research clusters, as well as an evaluation of all source materials become the starting point for a critical (not historical-critical) new edition of the Philosophical Criticism published by Meiner (research cluster 4). Approach/methods Two methods are combined within the project: Firstly, the contextualizing approach, related to the fundamental philosophical investigation of Riehl’s theory of space and time; and secondly, the philological work, related to the editing of the Philosophical Criticism. Level of originality/innovation The project presents a historical contextualization of Riehl’s realistically inspired views about science, alongside neo-Kantianism and Positivism. Thus the theory of time and space is highlighted for the first time comprehensively, and is the key to understanding critical realism and for making it accessible to current debates on realism/antirealism. This allows a concept of philosophy of science strongly interconnecting history, philosophy, and science to be developed, which forms a crucial but so far almost completely disregarded source in the history of scientific philosophy. With the new edition, the international conference, and the papers, the project makes a very important book accessible once again—both to experts and to a wider readership. Primary researchers involved The project will be carried out by the PI and a student assistant, for three years. The team is supported by international cooperation partners.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants