Moritz Schlick: Space and Time

Thirteen years lie between Moritz Schlicks doctoral thesis, "On the Reflection of Light in an Inhomogeneous Layer" ("Über die Relexion des Lichtes in einer inhomogenen Schicht"), supervised by Max Planck and finished in 1904, and the publication of his highly influential study on Albert Einsteins theory of relativity, "Space and Time in Contemporary Physics" ("Raum und Zeit in der gegenwärtigen Physik"), first publlished in 1917 and reedited 3 times during the following years. The subject matter of the texts is the same: both are dealing with physics. But whereas the doctoral thesis is still the work of Schlick the physicist, in "Space and Time in Contemporary Physics" we meet with Schlick the philosopher of science who reflects on the philosophical foundations of the natural sciences. In the present edition, these two writings have been brought together for the first time. The decision to do so has not only been due to the identity of the subject matter, but also and in the first place to the type of the text. Both texts are monographs, i.e. from an editorial point of view, they represent an autonomous type of text. According to the principles of a Critical Edition, both texts have been commented on; additional explanations have been provided where necessary. Extensive information on the scientific, philosophical and historical context as well as on Schlicks intellectual and philosophical development during the period which separates the two works, is being presented in the introduction to this volume. The Editoral Reports provide a detailed account of the genesis of the texts. Apart from a register of terms and one of persons, this volume comprises a glossary where the most important physical terms used in the texts are being explained. The present volume represents an important and valuable contribution to research on the scientific and philosophical work of the early Moritz Schlick, shedding thus light on the roots and early history of Logical Empiricism. Based on so far unpublished documents from Schlicks literary estate, the scientific, philosophical, historical context has been put into contrast with the biographical background of the two writings edited in this volume and been provided with extensive documentation.