After the unfortunate paralysis, Mach did not bow to the cold reality. He fought against fate with tenacious will and extraordinary energy, and completed a job that ordinary people could hardly imagine and complete. In the dusk of his life, the new ideas that came out of his mind still shone brightly, depicting a beautiful picture of "the sunset is lonely in Qi Fei and the autumn water is in the sky". Einstein accurately and vividly revealed Mach's inner pursuit and spiritual realm in his later years in an article mourning Mach's death:
"His undisguised joy in observing and understanding things, that is, his so-called" rational love for God "for Spinoza (B. de Spinoza, 1632~ 1677), has been so strongly manifested that at an advanced age, he still peeps at the world with curious eyes like a child, making himself understand them.
From1July, 898 to 19 16, Mach was not only unable to move, but also suffered from other diseases. He is old, unable to take care of himself, deaf and his voice is vague. Later, he suffered from rheumatic pain (1903), neuropathic pain (1906), prostatitis and bladder disease (19 13). However, the disease did not conquer him. After a few days of paralysis, he began to practice scanning with his left hand. He can't dress, eat and bathe, and his wife takes care of him. He can't walk, so he uses crutches and wheelchairs and sends an ambulance when necessary. He can't write, so he types with one finger of his left hand. He can't do the experiment, but his son Ludwig does it for him. Ludwig is a doctor of medicine. He began to take on the main responsibilities of Mach Laboratory in Prague in the late1880s, and now he has become his father's health care doctor. When his father is ill, he has to help answer letters and handle many affairs. So Blake acquiesced that the history of Mach in the last 18 years (to some extent, the last 30 years) was written by Mach and his son, and Ludwig was a "giant behind the scenes".
Mach 190 1 officially retired from Vienna University. He had planned to retire and settle in Florence, Italy, where he could talk and stroll with brentano (J.B.Stallo, 1823~ 1900). Stroh, a German-American philosopher who was not noticeable at that time, knew many of Mach's thoughts earlier. Mach mentioned in the second edition of Thermology that he noticed Stroh's Concepts and Theories of Modern Physics (1882) from the references of Russell's Fundamentals of Geometry (1898). Stroh's thoughts and articles were as early as 1860. He wrote a preface for the German version of the book (190 1) and dedicated the second edition of his "Thermology" (1900) to Stroh. Unfortunately, when Stroh died at the beginning of the century, Mach gave up his plan to spend his old age in Italy.
From 1900 to 19 13, Mach accomplished many writing and publishing tasks with amazing perseverance. He revised the Analysis of Feeling (doubled in length), abridged and supplemented Mechanics. Seven chapters were added to the German version of the lecture, and he compiled his lectures on philosophy of science into a new book, Cognition and Fallacy. He wrote three papers (190 1~ 1903) for Monist magazine for three consecutive years, and discussed the essence, origin and development of the concept of space from the perspectives of sensory physiology and psychology, history and physics. His research has made a unique and indispensable contribution to the discussion of the philosophical basis of geometry, "winning the authority and command position"; The English collection of these three articles was first published in the United States in 1906 with the title Space and Geometry. He also completed the first half of optics in 19 13, collecting materials for his last book, Culture and Mechanics.
During this period, Mach also published 15 newly written articles on philosophy, popular science and scientific experiments. His two important philosophical articles are very long and were published in the form of books in 19 19. Mach also wrote prefaces for more than 10 books, and added special chapters or notes to the new versions of old books to defend his thoughts. In addition, he corresponded with many scholars and young people on scientific and philosophical issues. He also participated in many activities supporting the cause of justice and progress, and his political activities reached their peak in 1907. He also published a paper on 19 10 entitled "The Leading Thought of My Theory of Scientific Knowledge and the Contemporary Response to it", which answered Planck's challenge. At this time, foreign translations of Mach's works were published all over the world. Theodor Beer, a physiologist living in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), even saw the local language versions of Mach's works on the bookstall in Colombo.
Perhaps the following events can best illustrate that Mach remained curious about new things and young in thought until the last few years of his life. 19 1 1 year, American anthropologist R.H. Lowie (1883 ~1957) entered Mach's life. In March of the same year, he wrote to Mach and told him that his books had become the focus of attention of graduate students at Columbia University. Later, he sent his own articles and books one after another. These publications tell what Roy saw and heard in Indian tribes, and Mach took a new interest in them. During this period, Mach's sister published her autobiography, which contained details of the national customs and habits of Montenegro and Bukovina, which further aroused Mach's interest in sociology and anthropology, especially primitive cultural groups. In the spring of 19 13, Mach put aside the unfinished optics and devoted himself to a new research direction. The eldest son Ludwig helped him find information in libraries and museums, and the third son (a painter) helped him draw. The younger son (who opened a mechanical workshop) gave him advice on the knowledge of manual and mechanical processing of daily utensils, and his wife helped him in his life. Mach himself devoted himself to writing works on history of mechanics. He wanted to describe how primitive people gradually learned to make and use tools and utensils, and he lamented that he lacked accurate information in this regard. In this way, Mach overcame incredible difficulties and finally wrote a preface for "Culture and Mechanics" in August of 19 15, and published this book which was soaked with the painstaking efforts of Mach and his family. Roy probably didn't expect that his friendly enthusiasm made Mach's last few years full and happy.
Ludwig made a fortune because of the invention patents of Al-Mg alloy and interferometer. He set up a home laboratory for his father in Bavaria in 19 12. Mach didn't want to leave his hometown at first, but when he turned to longing, he hurt his hip in an accident and suffered from prostatitis and bladder disease, which made it difficult for him to get up in bed for a long time. 1965438+in may 2003, mach finally left danube city near Vienna and moved to the village of Fatel Stetten near Munich, which is very close to the town of Hal. For personal life and death, he would have turned a deaf ear, because he is dead:
"Self, like objects, is not absolutely eternal. We are so afraid of death that we are afraid of destroying our eternity. But this kind of elimination has actually appeared in a large number in life. What we cherish has been preserved in countless copies, or because of its outstanding characteristics, it usually lasts forever. However, even the best man has his own personal characteristics, and neither he nor others need to feel sorry for the loss of these characteristics. In fact, death can even be a pleasant idea as a way to get rid of personal characteristics. "
But for the prospect of his time (only one year before the outbreak of World War I), Mach seemed worried. When he left Vienna, he wrote a farewell letter to the Austrian Academy of Sciences, but in his humorous words, he could not help showing sadness: "This letter should be my last letter. I just ask you to imagine that this naughty boy Caron took me to a post office that didn't join the Postal Union. "
The paralyzed Mach took the train to Munich on his back, and then transferred to an ambulance to reach his new home. Maybe it's the elegant environment in the big forest. Unexpectedly, Mach's health has improved significantly. By July of 19 13, he resumed intense writing and received many visitors happily. He once again worked closely with his eldest son Ludwig to carry out optical experiments. Sometimes the difficulties can't be overcome as soon as possible, so I lock myself in the laboratory and live on chocolate until the problem is solved. They stayed in the studio for two days. . For more than two years before his death, he has been paying attention to various scientific and philosophical issues. For example, in 19 13, when a scientist suspected that Doppler theory was incompatible with relativity, he once again proved that Doppler's thought was correct with experimental evidence. In his last article published in 19 16, he reiterated his firm belief in Lamarck, Herring and unconscious "memory"-this is Mach's "swan song".
19 16 February 19 when the war on the western front was temporarily calm, Ernst? Mach closed his eyes peacefully because of a heart attack at the age of 78 years and one day. A brain that keeps spewing new ideas will never stop thinking, a heart that loves the cause of human progress will never stop beating, and a great man who never tires will never rest in peace! Mach left a will before his death, and his funeral should be "as economical as possible." The money saved should be donated to the General Education Association and the Workers' Daily of Vienna Social Democratic Party. His family obeyed the wishes of the deceased, and the funeral was simple and solemn. Carus described maher's cremation ceremony in the following sentence: "He was lying in the middle of a fir tree. Recently, he likes to kill time under the fir tree. There is a crutch beside his left hand. This cane has been his 16 years' faithful partner. He wore a laurel wreath on his head, which was knitted by his daughter. On the morning of February 22, Professor Mach's body was sent into the flame very calmly. "
Mach left his relatives who accompanied him day and night, his colleagues, scholars and friends who struggled with him, and the kind people he loved deeply. He left happily, and he has every reason to be happy, because his ideas and thoughts have been integrated into eternal life. He wrote a long time ago in the Analysis of Feeling:
"Everyone thinks he is an inseparable and independent person, so he only knows himself. The content of consciousness with universal significance will break through the boundaries of individuals, naturally attach to individuals, and maintain a universal, impersonal and transpersonal life for a long time without relying on the people who develop these contents. Contributing to this life is the greatest happiness of artists, scientists, inventors, social reformers and so on. "
"Go back to Mach"
Mach was a great scientist and philosopher from the end of 19 to the beginning of the 20th century. His thoughts directly led to the scientific revolution at the beginning of this century and the subsequent philosophical revolution.
These two points alone are enough to establish Mach's firm and immortal position in the history of science and philosophy. This historical position is a historical fact, and no one can erase or replace it.
Moreover, Mach not only influenced Freud's psychoanalysis at the turn of the century, but also planted seeds and mixed enzymes in the scientific philosophy of Einstein and other scientists, the critical rationalism of Piaget's genetic epistemology, Popper, the historical school represented by Kuhn, Faye Abend's criticism and methodological pluralism, and various anti-induction.
At the end of this century, Mach's enlightenment and prescient thoughts blossomed in naturalism and evolutionary epistemology. Mach once again played the role of a pioneer in thought.
As the pride of the times, Mach's thoughts not only nurtured his times, but also influenced the intellectual circles of the whole 20th century. Mach is a product of the times, and the times are also a big stage for Mach's ideological activities.
Mach is undoubtedly a historical figure with great contribution and far-reaching influence, which is obvious to everyone who respects the facts. However, is Mach's thought still alive?
Some people think that Mach's epistemological attitude is out of date today, it has lost its former attraction and charm, and it is escaping into the ancient and profound classical kingdom and becoming an exhibit in the history museum.
Faye Abend doesn't think so. He shouted tit for tat: "Go back to Mach"!
Faye Aben's crying is justified. Because Mach's life is "a universal, impersonal and ultra-private life", although he has already passed away; Because Mach's thought is a "real pearl of life", it "can be aroused and bear fruit", although it no longer exists in Popper's "world corpse" (Mach's brain) but only exists in "World 3".
As Aristotle said, the idea of taking oneself as the object is eternal. This is why we can read Mach's book today and get inspiration.
"Go back to Mach!" Not a return to Mach's radical empiricism. Due to the ancient opposition between empiricism and rationalism, realism and idealism run counter to each other, and gradually penetrate and melt in the new exploration, losing their absolute rigid significance.
"Go back to Mach!" Nor is it a return to Mach's elemental monism. Although the essence of "the unity of man and nature" in Elemental Theory still needs to be discovered and understood, as Mach said, it only adapted to the "total knowledge" at that time, and did not pretend to be an immortal philosophy. It was always ready to make way for better insights.
Then, "Go back to Mach!" Where the hell are you going back to?
This is to elevate knowledge to the height of scientific practice and inject fresh breath of science into epistemology, just like Mach. At that time, the "philosophical broadcasting exercise" of "splitting into two" and "merging into one" was of no help at all, and there was nothing to do with the arrangement and combination of the old and dry concepts that have been used to this day. The prosperity of epistemological research can only rely on scientific cognitive theory.
We should combine science and philosophy closely like Mach, so that the philosophy of science can truly become the philosophy of scientists. In this way, philosophy can absorb the nutrition of science and become a wisdom philosophy closely related to scientific practice; Science can glow the philosophical spirit and become a science that transcends the ontology of knowledge and transcends utility and wisdom.
We should continue to carry forward Mach's thought of unifying science and make scientific culture, human culture and humanistic culture scientific, so as to eliminate the existing barriers and gaps between them.
We should seriously explore Mach's heritage of naturalism and ecological ethics, so that human beings can learn the wisdom of living in harmony with nature and finally reach the ideal realm of "harmony between man and nature".
We should vigorously carry forward the spirit of freedom, enlightenment, doubt, criticism, history, practice, tolerance, humility and enterprising of Mach and his philosophy, overcome blind obedience and credulity, and be alert to dogma and rigidity. Our world has suffered from too many dogmas and blind obedience.
We should critically inherit Guangda Maher's scientism, pacifism and humanitarianism. These three have become the main theme of the present era, and Mach's ideological legacy can undoubtedly become a series of wonderful notes to compose this main theme.
"Go back to Mach!" Is to explore and expand Mach's ideological heritage, to ponder and understand Mach's following practical teachings:
"Today, when we see social unrest, when we see people changing their views on the same issue according to their state and the events of the week, and when we see the profound psychological pain caused by it, we should know that this is the natural and inevitable result of the incompleteness and transformation characteristics of our philosophy. A qualified world outlook is never a gift, and it must be acquired through hard work. Only when we are allowed to freely incline to reasoning and experience in the field where they work can we slowly and gradually approach the ideal of a unified world outlook for human happiness, and only this world outlook can be in harmony with a sound spiritual economy. "
Looking back at history, Mach's thought is indeed "a remnant flower of Chen Zui"; Looking forward to the future, Mach's legacy can also be "hibiscus comes out later and brighter". At the turn of the new century, we have reason to believe and expect so much.