MACH, mah, Ernst, Austrian physicist and philosopher: b. Turas, Moravia, Austria, 13 Feb. 1838; d. 9 Feb. 1916. After a partly pri vate secondary education he studied at the Uni versity of Vienna, taking his doctor's degree in physics in 1860. After spending several years as privatdocent he was appointed professor of mathematics at Gratz and in 1867 was called to the chair of physics at the University of Prague. Here he published in 1883 his first important work, 'Die Mechanik in ihrer Entwickelung historisch-kritisch dargestellt) which has run through seven German and several English edi tions. Having turned his attention to the re lation of physiological and physical processes, he next produced his equally epoch-snaking 'Analyse der Empfindungen' (1886; 6th ed., 1911). Owing to his increased interest in epistemological and historical ptoblems, Mach gladly accepted in 1895 the offer of a philosoph ical chair at Vienna, where he read on the history and theory of the inductive sciences. The following year appeared his 'Principien der Warmelehre) while his university lectures ultimately took the shape of a substantial vol ume in 1905 under the caption 'Erkenetnis and Irrtum.) A paralytic stroke suffered in 1898 re duced the remainder of his life to a cripple's martyrdom, though it did not interfere with his mental activity. In spite of his liberal posi
tion in politics he was honored with the title of a court chancellor and was made a member of the upper chamber of the Austrian Parlia ment.
Mach's aim was to liberate science from metaphysical conceptions and thus he became in a sense a precursor of pragmatism. His general trend of thought exerted a profound influence on men like William James, Jacques Loeb, Karl Pearson and Wilhelm Ostwald, and his attempt to substitute the mathematical 'no tion of function in place of the time-honored concept of causality has recently found an ad vocate in Bertrand. Russell. His definition of
science as an economical description rather than
an explanation of the universe aroused consid able discussion in philosophical circles. Sympa thetic insight, impartiality, a singularly sane Judgment and an almost complete freedom from preconceptions render Mach an ideal historian of science and one of the trustworthiest leaders of advanced thought. His principal works are accessible in English translations. For a brief exposition of his philosophy with biographical notes consult Carus, Paul,