Herbert Feigl was born on December 14, 1902 in Reichenberg, Bohemia (Czech Republic). He studied mathematics, physics, psychology and philosophy at the University of Munich (1921-1922) and the University of Vienna (1922-1927), earning his Ph.D. in 1927. After completing his doctorate, Dr. Feigl was a lecturer in astronomy and philosophy of science at the Peoples' Institute in Vienna. During his time in Vienna, Dr. Feigl was a member of the "Vienna Circle" of philosophers, which developed the doctrine of logical positivism.
He immigrated to the United States in 1930 after accepting a Rockefeller Fellowship at Harvard University to study the logical foundations of physics. From 1931-1940, he was an instructor, assistant and associate professor of philosophy at the University of Iowa. Dr. Feigl joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota in 1941 as professor of philosophy. In 1953, Dr. Feigl founded the Center for Philosophy of Science at the University, and served as its first director until his retirement. The mission of the Center is to "encourage and fund original research primarily in the philosophy, logic, and methodology of science by its Members, Fellows, and collaborators." Member of the Center come from a wide array of departments on the University campus.
Dr. Feigl was awarded the title of Regents' professor in 1967, the highest honor bestowed upon the faculty at the University of Minnesota. He was named a fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1957) and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1971). He served as president of the American Philosophical Society, the Institute for the Unity of Science and the Western Division of the American Philosophical Association. Dr. Feigl retired from the University of Minnesota in 1971 as Regents' professor emeritus and director emeritus. Herbert Feigl died on June 1, 1988.
From the guide to the Herbert Feigl papers, 1921-1971, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University Archives [uarc])
