Sir Peter Frederick Strawson: A Pillar of Modern Philosophy From Ealing

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Sam Habeeb

"Shadow MP Campaigner of Ealing North"

Sir Peter Frederick Strawson: A Pillar of Modern Philosophy From Ealing
Credit: Philosophics

Sir Peter Frederick Strawson FBA (1919–2006) was a giant in the world of philosophy, who left an indelible mark on metaphysics, language, and the methodology of philosophical inquiry. A career spanning several decades, much of which was spent at Oxford University, Strawson is celebrated as the founder of descriptive metaphysics and an influential figure in 20th-century philosophy.

Who was Sir Peter Frederick Strawson?

Born on 23 November 1919, in Ealing, west London, Strawson was raised in Finchley, north London, where both parents were teachers. Academic life certainly had the nurturing support of intellectual activities in an environment that facilitated the growth of ideas. 

His talents at Christ’s College in Finchley with rich academic aptitude kept him serving here. Later he attended Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at St. John’s College, Oxford, which developed his ideas towards philosophy.

The impetus of World War II cut short his education. He joined the Royal Artillery and later was transferred to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. During World War II, he achieved some experience during active service. In 1946, he was demobilized as a captain and returned to his academic life, transmuting disciplines learned during military service into scholarship.

Academic Career and Professional Life

He went on to join the University College of North Wales, Bangor, as an assistant lecturer in 1946. Due to his immense talent and potential, he earned a John Locke scholarship at the University of Oxford. Under Gilbert Ryle, he continued and became a lecturer at University College, Oxford in 1948.

He remained closely associated with Oxford all through his life and ended up as Waynflete Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy at Magdalen College from 1968 to 1987.

He spent the rest of his life at University College, Oxford, after retiring in 1987. He died in 2006. A cosmopolitan atmosphere for intellectualism made Oxford, during the middle half of the 20th century, one of the world’s greatest forums for philosophy debates.

What is Sir Peter Strawson known for in philosophy?

The Landmark Paper: “On Referring”

Early recognition was realized with the seminal paper “On Referring” (1950), a critical review of the theory of descriptions by Bertrand Russell. The latter’s influential article in 1905, “On Denoting,” argued that linguistic expressions can systematically refer to entities, existent or nonexistent. Strawson opposed this view with an emphasis on how context and usage determine reference, thus reshaping the philosophical language discourse and providing subsequent developments in analytic philosophy.

Descriptive vs. Revisionary Metaphysics

One of the most lasting contributions that Strawson has made is in distinguishing between descriptive and revisionary metaphysics. In his influential book Individuals, 1959, Strawson developed the principles of descriptive metaphysics, which consist of an articulation of the fundamental structure of our shared conceptual framework. 

While revisionary metaphysics is geared toward the formulation of an alternative conceptual scheme, descriptive metaphysics is an uncovering and clarification of preexisting patterns of human thought.

He classified Aristotle and Kant as descriptive metaphysicians, whereas revisionary metaphysicians belong to the type of Descartes and Leibniz. His elaborate study of such concepts as spatio-temporal particulars and classifying them in general categories helps shed light upon the deep structures underlying human cognition and perception.

Common Conceptual Scheme

Another beehive corner of his philosophy is the idea of a “common conceptual scheme” by Strawson. He insisted that certain notions deeply embedded in our linguistic practice and human experiences lie at the bedrock of our understanding of reality. An analysis of such common notions will reveal to philosophers the implicit structures under which human thought and communication take place. This insight was picked up in the broader framework of ordinary language philosophy, where the importance of everyday linguistic practice was underscored.

What Awards and Honors Did Strawson Receive?

He received high recognition for his philosophical contributions. In 1960, he was elected Fellow of the British Academy, while in 1971, he became a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He served as president of the Aristotelian Society from 1969-1970, further entrenching him into the position of a leader among philosophers. He was knighted in 1977 for his services to philosophy—an acknowledgment of his contributions to metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of language.

Who Did Strawson Marry?

Strawson married Ann Martin, who had served with him during World War II in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in 1945. Together, they raised four children: Galen Strawson, a philosopher who emulated his father.

He spent all of his life at Oxford, which is indeed synonymous with the intellectual legacy that he left behind. He died from a brief illness on February 13, 2006. The rich body of work he left behind inspires and challenges philosophers around the world.

Golden Years at Oxford

This period, starting in 1950 and going through to 1970, is often remembered as the golden age of philosophy at Oxford, of which Strawson was a member. During this period, most American scholars came to Oxford owing to its vibrancy in thought and scholarly rigor exemplified by figures like Strawson.

The Times of London called him the one of “unchallenged breadth,” the acuteness and power for the subject in language and metaphysics. Yet his works are a must-read for his pupils and thinkers, being paragons in philosophical insight and profundity.

  • People: An Essay in Descriptive Metaphysics (1959)
  • Spacetime entities and a classifying work.
  • The Bounds of Sense: An Essay on Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason (1966)
  • An interpretive and critical study of Immanuel Kant’s “Critique of Pure Reason,” which provides a grounding in Kantian epistemology and metaphysics.
  • Freedom and Resentment and Other Essays (1974)
  • A collection of essays on matters as diverse as moral responsibility, human freedom, and the nature of philosophical inquiry.

Enduring Influence

His influence stretches far beyond his lifetime. The impact of his criticism of Russell, his development of descriptive metaphysics, and his work on the common conceptual scheme has set the course of modern philosophy. His works continue to be read and discussed in a way that reflects the timeless relevance of his ideas.

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Sam Habeeb

"Shadow MP Campaigner of Ealing North"

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