Rudolf Carnap and W. V. Quine, two of the twentieth century's most   important philosophers, corresponded at lengthand over a long period of timeon   matters personal, professional, and philosophical. Their friendship encompassed   issues and disagreements that go to the heart of contemporary philosophic   discussions. Carnap (1891-1970) was a founder and leader of the logical   positivist school. The younger Quine (1908-) began as his staunch admirer but   diverged from him increasingly over questions in the analysis of meaning and the   justification of belief. That they remained close, relishing their differences   through years of correspondence, shows their stature both as thinkers and as   friends. The letters are presented here, in full, for the first time.  The substantial introduction by Richard Creath offers a lively overview of   Carnap's and Quine's careers and backgrounds, allowing the nonspecialist to see   their writings in historical and intellectual perspective. Creath also provides   a judicious analysis of the philosophical divide between them, showing how deep   the issues cut into the discipline, and how to a large extent they remain   unresolved.  Dear Carnap, I enclose a copy of a paper which I am ready to send off for   publication. . . . I am anxious to have you look this over as soon as possible,   to see whether you have reason to suppose the system contradictory: for it looks   dangerous.  Dear Quine: I read your paper very carefully and with the highest interest. . .   . So far, I do not see any contradiction in the system itself . . . but I share   your feeling that the whole looks rather dangerous.

Dear Carnap, Dear Van: The Quine-Carnap Correspondence and Related Work PDF

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