The Distinction Of Ananlytical And Synthtical Proposition

Proposition are often divided into analytical and synthtical by philosophers, this classification standard was first proposed by Kant. However, the idea of knowledge classification based on analysis and syntheses can be traced back to Locke. Logical empiricism has inherited and developed the idea of this distinction, and further defined the classification of analysis and syntheses. The significance of the distinction between analytical proposition and synthetic proposition differs from one philosopher to another. By studying the history of philosophy, we realize that this kind of distinction not only exists in empiricism but also in rationalism. In logical empiricism, this distinction is closely related to its theoretical system. To some extent, it is even the cornerstone of the theory of logical empiricism.This paper is divided into the following sections:Chapter One:Reviewed the distinction and function of analytic proposition and synthetic proposition proposed by philosophers before the logical empiricism. Both empiricism and rationalism have the thought of the distinction, which contributes to the development of two opposite theories. Kant initially put forward the classification between analysis and synthesis, and the classification of logical empiricism is developed on the basis of the inheritance and criticism of previous thoughts.Chapter Two:Studied the distinction of logical empiricism between analytic proposition and synthetic proposition and its criteria and discussed the background of the forming of distinction between analytic proposition and synthetic proposition. The development of modern logic has a profound impact on the distinction of logical empiricism between analytic proposition and synthetic proposition. The logical empiricists have recognized the special nature of logic and mathematics, making the classification more explicit. Logical empiricism has criticized on Kant’s distinction between analytic proposition and synthetic proposition. Chapter Three:Had a careful analysis on the significance of the distinction of logical empiricism between analytic and synthetic proposition. The change of philosophy offers a wider space for the distinction between analytic proposition and synthetic proposition. The distinction of logical empiricism is transformation of empiricism, which solved a big problem of empiricism and surpassed old positivism by logical empiricism. The standard of distinction between analytic proposition and synthetic proposition correlates with the logical empiricism’s concept of meaning confirm."Meaningful proposition can be divided into analytic proposition and synthetic proposition. The process of confirmation on the significance of analytic proposition and synthetic proposition is quite different. The standard of classification of analytic proposition and synthetic proposition is an important ideological foundation for logical empiricism in its implementation of empiricism. Meanwhile, it has criticized Kant’s theory of analytic proposition and synthetic proposition. This standard has also become an important criterion for logical empiricism to distinguish science from metaphysics.Chapter Four:Quine criticized the concept of analytic proposition and pointed out that there is no boundary between analytic and synthetic proposition. In order to defend the distinction between analytic and synthetic proposition, logical empiricists refuted Quine’s criticism, and some even revised the theory. Form then on, the distinction of logical empiricism between analytic and synthetic proposition goes from absolute to relative.