Interpreting Mach

This volume presents new essays on the work and thought of physicist psychologist and philosopher Ernst Mach. Moving away from previous estimations of Mach as a pre-logical positivist the essays reflect his rehabilitation as a thinker of direct relevance to debates in the contemporary philosophies of natural science psychology metaphysics and mind. Topics covered include Mach''s work on acoustical psychophysics and physics; his ideas on analogy and the principle of conservation of energy; the correct interpretation of his scheme of ''elements'' and its relationship to his ''historical-critical'' method; the relationship of his thought to movements such as American pragmatism realism and neutral monism as well as to contemporary figures such as Friedrich Nietzsche; and the reception and influence of his works in Germany and Austria particularly by the Vienna Circle.