This essay examines Schlick's argument that logical
positivism and realism are not in
opposition. In his view, this is so
because opposition only exists between the
consistent empiricist and the metaphysician. The consistent empiricist does not deny the transcendent world; he only shows that there is no meaning to denying or affirming it. Thus,
positivism cannot be put into opposition with realism because it does not deny the existence of the external world; it only says that propositions about its existence are meaningless. Schlock has a credible point, although it must be emphasized that there are great differences between positivism and realism.