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How did logical empiricism differ from logical positivism?

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Marble bust of Aristotle with a beard and draped robe, showing detailed facial features and wavy hair, set against a dark background. — Philosophy of science Aristotle, marble portrait bust, Roman copy (2nd century bce) of a Greek original (c. 325 bce); in the Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome.

Logical positivism and logical empiricism are closely related, and many historians of philosophy treat the latter as a later, more moderate version of the former. The transition between the two occurred as the original movement encountered significant challenges in its program.1

From Logical Positivism to Logical Empiricism

Logical positivism, primarily associated with the Vienna Circle, initially sought to establish a strict criterion of meaningfulness based on the verifiability principle. This early approach often proved too restrictive, inadvertently excluding legitimate scientific hypotheses, or too lax, failing to fully exclude traditional metaphysics.12

As these difficulties emerged, the movement evolved into logical empiricism. This shift was characterized by:1
* Increased Flexibility: The requirement for empirical testability became more tolerant and flexible.3
* Scientific Focus: Logical empiricists prioritized understanding the distinctive virtues of the natural sciences and developing a rigorous theory of scientific method using mathematical logic.1
* Terminology: The name "logical empiricism" was adopted to better reflect the movement's commitment to empirical testing while distancing itself from the older, narrower traditions of positivism that were often hostile toward theoretical entities like those found in modern atomic theory.3