Hans Reichenbach

By rebecca.stern

  • Hans Reichenbach was born

    Glymour, Clark, and Frederick Eberhardt. “Hans Reichenbach.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 1 Nov. 2016, plato.stanford.edu/entries/reichenbach/.

  • Reichenbach published his doctoral thesis, "The Concept of Probability in the Mathematical Representation of Reality."

    Reichenbach wrestled with the concept of probability and reality: especially the relationship between macroscopic and microscopic systems. He expounds upon Kant's theory of causality. He stipulates that "there is a principle of probability that has an equal status... it is a precondition of empirical knowledge. (Glymour)"
    Glymour, Clark, and Frederick Eberhardt. “Hans Reichenbach.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 1 Nov. 2016, plato.stanford.edu/entries/reichenbach/.
  • Period: to

    Conscripted into service in the German signals corp.

    Glymour, Clark, and Frederick Eberhardt. “Hans Reichenbach.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 1 Nov. 2016, plato.stanford.edu/entries/reichenbach/.

  • Reichenbach publishes, "The Theory of Relativity and a Priori Knowledge"

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6LJAllrDS4
    "Principles governing the content of experience can be synthetic a priori because they are necessary, transcendental truths, or because they are non-empirical principles that form part of how we construct our representation of reality, and are thus revisable.(Glymour)"
    Reichenbach, Hans. The Theory of Relativity and A Priori Knowledge. www.hist-analytic.com/ReichenbachDissertation.pdf.

  • Reichenbach became an instructor in Physics at the Technische Hochschule in Stuttgart

    Glymour, Clark, and Frederick Eberhardt. “Hans Reichenbach.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 1 Nov. 2016, plato.stanford.edu/entries/reichenbach/. “Technische Hochschule in Stuttgart, 1939.” Dokumentations- Und Informationszentrum München GmbH, timelineimages.sueddeutsche.de/technische-hochschule-in-stuttgart-1939_00242567.
  • Period: to

    Assumed teaching position at University of Berlin and founded the Berlin Group

    It was during this time where Reichenbach organized the "Berlin Group," a coming together of great minds to discuss philosophy an science that included Kurt Grelling, Kurt Lewin, Richard von Mises and later Carl Hempel (Glymour). Glymour, Clark, and Frederick Eberhardt. “Hans Reichenbach.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 1 Nov. 2016, plato.stanford.edu/entries/reichenbach/.

  • Reichenbach publishes, "The Theory of Space and Time"

    He rejects the Marxist views of his youth and speculates that science is ever evolving, and so rapidly that scientists cannot keep up with how quickly it changes.
    Glymour, Clark, and Frederick Eberhardt. “Hans Reichenbach.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 1 Nov. 2016, plato.stanford.edu/entries/reichenbach/.

  • Reichenbach began a new publication, "Erkenntnis," as a way to circulate scientific philosophy.

    Glymour, Clark, and Frederick Eberhardt. “Hans Reichenbach.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 1 Nov. 2016, plato.stanford.edu/entries/reichenbach/.
    “Erkenntnis.” Springer, link.springer.com/journal/10670.

  • Reichenbach was dismissed from teaching due to his "Jewish" philosophies

    Under the ascension of Hitler, Reichenbach was forced to leave Germany and his position due to his viewpoints being conceived as being "Jewish." Glymour, Clark, and Frederick Eberhardt. “Hans Reichenbach.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 1 Nov. 2016, plato.stanford.edu/entries/reichenbach/.

  • Reichenbach publishes, "The Theory of Probability" too much criticism from other philosophers of science.

    Popper was one of the most vocal critics over his work. Popper believed his work was too aligned with frequentism (Glymour).
    Glymour, Clark, and Frederick Eberhardt. “Hans Reichenbach.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 1 Nov. 2016, plato.stanford.edu/entries/reichenbach/.
    Reichenbach, Hans. “The Theory of Probability.” Google Books, 1935, books.google.com/books/about/The_Theory_of_Probability.html?id=WUm_2lAvj2cC.

  • Reichenbach accepted a teaching position at UCLA

    Glymour, Clark, and Frederick Eberhardt. “Hans Reichenbach.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 1 Nov. 2016, plato.stanford.edu/entries/reichenbach/.
    “A Break From Sports: Fun Old Pix of UCLA, Westwood.” Bruins Nation, 20 Feb. 2012, www.bruinsnation.com/2012/2/11/2792965/a-break-from-sports-fun-old-pix-of-ucla-westwood.
  • Period: to

    Due to his german alien status, when American entered WWII, Reichenbach was under house arrest until U.S. citizenship was granted.

    Glymour, Clark, and Frederick Eberhardt. “Hans Reichenbach.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 1 Nov. 2016, plato.stanford.edu/entries/reichenbach/.

  • Hans Reichenbach dies suddenly from a heart attack.

    Glymour, Clark, and Frederick Eberhardt. “Hans Reichenbach.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 1 Nov. 2016, plato.stanford.edu/entries/reichenbach/.