The Vienna Circle, An Association of Philosophers Gathered Around GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Passage Question

The Vienna Circle, an association of philosophers gathered around the University of Vienna in 1922, pioneered a “positivist” philosophy of science. Their aim was to present a unified vision of the world, where knowledge can only derive from experience through the application of logical analysis. Not surprisingly, most members of the Vienna Circle eschewed metaphysics, embracing a decidedly empiricist attitude toward the pursuit of scientific truth. Their attitude was shared by other prominent scientists such as Albert Einstein, whose works were frequently cited in monographs published by members of the Circle. Ironically, by the time the Vienna Circle “discovered” an intellectual bond with Einstein, he had departed from his positivist view to pursue less optimistic answers to the question of political, philosophical and scientific unity

“The Vienna Circle, an association of philosophers gathered around the University of Vienna”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 3 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. The main concern of the passage is to

(A) draw parallels between two philosophical movements and explain why a particular scientist embraced one of these movements at the expense of the other.
(B) relate a philosophical movement to a societal cause and contrast the movement’s intellectual objectives with those of a prominent scientist.
(C) discuss the origins of a philosophical movement and summarize its effect on the work of a prominent scientist.
(D) contrast two philosophical views and examine their relation to a third view.
(E) summarize the objectives of a philosophical movement and examine their relation to the views of a prominent scientist

2. It can be inferred from the passage that Albert Einstein would be most likely to agree with which one of the following statements concerning the “positivist” philosophy of science, pioneered by the Vienna Circle in 1922?

(A) Though theoretically valuable, it erroneously embraced an empiricist attitude toward the pursuit of scientific truth.
(B) Its rejection of metaphysics resulted in a quest for scientific unity that was too optimistic.
(C) Its emphasis on empirical knowledge was laudable, even if the goal of presenting an unified vision of the world was ultimately unrealistic.
(D) Its quest for political, philosophical and scientific unity was detrimental to its pursuit of scientific truth.
(E) Though initially promising, its quest for scientific unity was a failure.

3. This passage suggests which one of the following about metaphysics?

(A) It was a reaction against the positivist philosophy of science.
(B) It failed to present a unified vision of the world.
(C) It did not necessarily seek to derive knowledge through experience alone.
(D) It was initially embraced by prominent scientists such as Einstein.
(E) It was regarded by members of the Vienna Circle as intellectually suspect.

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