University
The atmosphere at the University of Vienna in the First Republic was – with a few exceptions – characterised by growing anti-Semitism and a worldview struggle against liberalism and socialism. This was reflected in the course offerings and in a hostile personnel policy. For the Vienna Circle, with its anti-metaphysical orientation, liberal to left-wing position, international focus, and strong presence of Jewish members, the university was therefore a precarious place. Apart from Moritz Schlick, only the mathematicians Hans Hahn and Karl Menger held professorships. The Dean’s Office for Philosophy was located in the main building on the Ring, and Schlick gave lectures in the lecture halls. When he was murdered on 22 June 1936 on the Philosophenstiege, or Philosophers’ Staircase, he was on his way to his last scheduled lecture before the summer holidays.
Anti-Semitic poster of the German Students’ Union, c. 1930
In addition to anti-Semitic agitation by Catholic nationalist and German nationalist students, there were repeated violent attacks at the university, especially by National Socialist students in the 1930s.
Palaeobiology seminar room, the “bear cave”, 1928
An anti-Semitic network of professors at the University of Vienna, named after its meeting place “Bärenhöhle”, or bear cave, prevented the habilitation and appointment of Jewish and left-wing academics.
From: Die Universität Wien. Ihre Geschichte, ihre Institute und Einrichtungen, hrsg. vom akademischen Senat, Düsseldorf, F. Lindner, 1929
WBR, B-75129
Rector Hans Uebersberger with Nazi students on the university ramp, 1931
Rector Wenzel Gleispach’s student regulations were intended to discriminate against Jewish students at the university. After its repeal by the Constitutional Court on 23 June 1931 for formal reasons, National Socialist students called for a torchlight procession. Gleispach and his successor Hans Uebersberger (centre) were among those who took part.
ÖNB/Wien, H 777-B
Page from the manuscript of Moritz Schlick’s inaugural lecture, 1922
At the beginning of his inaugural lecture, Schlick referred to Ludwig Boltzmann and Ernst Mach, the intellectual predecessors in his chair.
Courtesy of Mona Schlick
A child plagued by cosmic fears, a young person disturbed by contradictory theories and ideologies that are constantly offered to her, sees herself freed from the confusion in one fell swoop. Early in the morning, in the large lecture theatre of the Faculty of Philosophy, the figure of a truly wise, truly good person provides illumination, reassurance, confidence, and guidance in life. Moritz Schlick loves and often repeats Kant‘s words that David Hume had awakened him from his ›dogmatic slumber‹. The student feels no differently about what is happening to her.
Hilde Spiel
Letter of thanks from members of the Vienna Circle to Moritz Schlick after his decision to stay in Vienna, 13 June 1929
Schlick’s position became precarious. He was not and as far as I knew, never had been politically active. His political views can probably best be described as those of a British-style liberal. But this was far from satisfactory to the nationalistic professors and students …
Karl Menger
The Philosophers’ Staircase in the main building of the University of Vienna on the Ring, c. 1890
Photo: E. Jaffé und A. Albert
Wien Museum, Inv.-Nr. 48736/53
Illustration of the murder of Moritz Schlick
From: Illustrierte Kronen-Zeitung, 23.6.1936
WBR, F-74487
“The case of Viennese Professor Schlick – a reminder to examine one’s conscience”
Under the pseudonym ›Prof. Austriacus‹, philosopher Johannes Sauter blamed Schlick himself for his murder in a Catholic weekly. With his anti-metaphysical philosophy, he had violated Christian-German values and stirred up the student youth. A parallel to Socrates comes to mind.
WBR, B-72742
Anyone who ...lived through this era and witnessed the event at the scene of the crime, i.e., in Vienna, still clearly remembers how Schlick’s murder appeared to the Left as a sign heralding disaster.
Jean Améry, 1980
Dominik Castell (R), A Private Investigation. The Case Moritz Schlick. Mit Patti Smith (A 2006)
The American singer-songwriter Patti Smith repeatedly focused on Wittgenstein and the Vienna Circle during her visits to Vienna. In this film, she meditates at the site of Moritz Schlick’s murder.
Editing and post production: Carlo Pelikan