Gustav Bergmann in Philosophy
Gustav Bergmann was an Austrian-American philosopher who was born on May 4, 1906, in Vienna, Austria, and died on April 21, 1987, in Iowa City, United States. He is known for his contributions to contemporary philosophy, especially in the field of ontology and the philosophy of language. In this glossary, we will explore Gustav Bergmann's life, ideas, and influences on philosophy.
Life and Training
Gustav Bergmann was born into a Jewish family in Vienna, Austria, and studied philosophy at the University of Vienna. During his studies, he was influenced by philosophers such as Alexius Meinong and Moritz Schlick, who were prominent in the Vienna School. Bergmann earned his doctorate in philosophy in 1928, with a thesis on Meinong's theory of knowledge.
Emigration to the United States
Due to the rise of Nazism in Austria, Bergmann emigrated to the United States in 1938. He took a teaching position at the University of Iowa, where he spent most of his academic career. At Iowa, Bergmann became an important figure in analytic philosophy and founded the Department of Philosophy at the University of Iowa.
Contributions to Ontology
One of Gustav Bergmann's main contributions to philosophy was in the field of ontology. He developed an ontological theory known as “fundamental ontology”, which seeks to identify the basic types of entities existing in the world. Bergmann argued that there are three fundamental types of entities: objects, properties, and relations.
Objects
For Bergmann, objects are individual entities that exist independently of any mind or perception. They are the basic elements of reality and can be physical or non-physical. Bergmann argued that objects have an objective existence and are distinct from our mental representations.
Properties
Properties, according to Bergmann, are characteristics or attributes that objects possess. They can be physical qualities, such as color and shape, or non-physical qualities, such as being a mathematical entity. Bergmann argued that properties are real entities and independent of the objects that possess them.
Relations
Relations, according to Bergmann, are connections between objects or between objects and properties. They are entities distinct from the objects and properties they relate. Bergmann argued that relationships are fundamental to understanding reality and that they have an objective existence.
Philosophy of Language
In addition to his contributions to ontology, Gustav Bergmann also made important contributions to the philosophy of language. He defended a referential theory of language, arguing that words and sentences have meaning by virtue of their relationship to objects in the world. Bergmann emphasized the importance of reference in understanding language.
Influences and Legacy
Gustav Bergmann was influenced by philosophers such as Meinong, Schlick and Ludwig Wittgenstein. He also had a significant influence on later philosophers such as David Armstrong and David Lewis, who developed their own ontological theories based on Bergmann's ideas. His work continues to be studied and discussed in contemporary philosophy.
Conclusion
In summary, Gustav Bergmann was a prominent philosopher who made significant contributions to the ontology and philosophy of language. His fundamental ontological theory and his defense of a referential theory of language are central points of his philosophical legacy. Bergmann influenced later generations of philosophers and his work continues to be relevant to contemporary philosophy.
