Robin Farquharson
Encyclopedia
Reginald "Robin" Farquharson (3 October 1930 – 1 April 1973) was an academic whose interest in mathematics and politics led him to work on game theory
, which he wrote an influential analysis of voting systems in his doctoral thesis, later published as Theory of Voting.
Farquharson diagnosed himself as suffering from bipolar disorder
(manic depression), and episodes of mania
made it difficult for him to obtain a permanent position at a university and also resulted in him losing commercial employment. In later years, Farquharson dropped out
of mainstream society, and became a prominent counter-cultural figure in late-60s London. Farquharson wrote an account of his unconventional life in his 1968 book, Drop Out!, in which he described a week of being homeless in London.
In 1973 Robin Farquharson died
from the burns
associated with an arson,
for which two persons were convicted of unlawful killing
.
Robin Farquharson also studied at the Sorbonne in Paris.
Whilst studying as an undergraduate at Oxford Farquharson was a contemporary of John Searle
, Rupert Murdoch
, and Sir Michael Dummett
that conjectured the Gibbard-Satterthwaite theorem
.
, Farquharson conjectured that deterministic voting rules with more than three issues faced endemic strategic voting. The Dummett-Farquharson conjecture was proved by Allan Gibbard
, a philosopher and former student of Kenneth J. Arrow and John Rawls
, and by Mark A. Satterthwaite, an economist.
After the establishment of the Farquarson-Dummett conjecture by Gibbard and Sattherthwaite, Michael Dummett contributed three proofs of the Gibbard–Satterthwaite theorem in his monograph on voting.
In the field of political game theory
, Farquharson's main contribution was his exposition of the Condorcet paradox regarding the sincerity of voters. The problem was initially raised by Pliny the Younger
then picked up again in the political pamphlets of Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) who was a significant influence on Robin Farquharson.
Even though Theory of Voting was first written and Farquharson's doctorate awarded in 1958 it was eventually published in 1969, by Yale University Press. The main reason given for the lateness of its publication is that the Robin insisted the logical choice diagrams be printed in full-colour, which they eventually were, in black, white and red.
The book won the Monograph Prize in the field of Social Sciences, awarded by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
.
(manic depression) and cyclothymia
.
Robin's condition caused him to frequently be absent from his university studies November 1955 to March 1957. (He was further absent from his studies after the death of his father)
remembers, In 1955, Farquharson sat the Fellowship examination for All Souls College. On the evening before an election meeting was held to discuss Farquharson's admission as a Fellow, the Warden of the College received a telephone call, which started with the words: "Do you have a pen and paper?" Farquharson tried to dictate what Michael describes (he was not present himself) as a "lengthy statement in quasi-technical language, expounding a discovery in which would have solve [sic.] many problems in mathematics, mathematical logic, physics, economics and the theory of voting."
Dummett's clarifies the accuracy of his recollection: "I know very well what it was like: though I was away for the year in California, Farquharson also telephoned me there in just the same manner."
Farquharson was undergoing an attack of his mental illness which it is believed caused him to contact the College Warden.
Dummett believes that Farquharson was far and above the best candidate for the election to the college but when the Warden chose to mention Farquharson's telephone call to the Fellows. And in raising this point Dummett believes the Warden "…inferred that Farquharson had gone mad" which no doubt led to his not being elected to the senior position of Fellow at All Souls College.
Farquharson briefly describes the incident in Drop Out!: "…when as a candidate for a Fellowship of All Souls, I had destroyed my chances by a telephone call to the Warden, calling him from his high table to tell him that I had a message from God for him."
Farquharson was a mental health activist working both with Tommie Ritchie in the Scottish Union of Mental Patients (SUMP) during 1972 and then the Mental Patients Union in 1973 shortly before his death.
He was the first member of SUMP from outside Hartwood Hospital
. He wrote, campaigned and argued with other members of the group for mental patients to have a greater say in their own treatment. He also helped to secure squat sites and rent houses for groups to hold meetings and simply for a place to live.
After losing this job Robin worked in various other administrative positions, including being a manager for a call center.
Robin Farquharson also contributed to the counter-cultural Bitman magazine which published a special obituary edition as tribute to Robin after his death in 1973.
His friend, Guy Legge, who knew Robin from his time in Horton mental asylum, thought Robin was an alcoholic and blames his wild mood swings on his dependency.
Dropping out
commonly refers to a person who has left an educational institution without completing the course. This does not apply in the same way to Robin Farquharson who held several degrees. The title of his book more accurately refers to his dropping-out from the comfort of academic life into the uncertainty of London street-life.
The book begins with a quote from a poem by the author and critic Matthew Arnold
:
Essentially the book is an account of Robin Farquharson finding himself homeless and with little money and many debts to claim, both through circumstance and his own actions. In an experimental spirit he attempts to forsake money (several times and with varying success) as a kind of restrictive social evil. This leaves him with very little option but to sleep rough and stay with friends or acquaintances now and again. The book includes a chapter on the free help offered by Rhaune Laslett
and the Notting Hill Neighbourhood Service.
Many people see the book as a slightly forced and therefore somewhat un-genuine attempt to slum it with the lower classes is that Robin is so often bailed out by either good fortune, the kindness of strangers or old friends. It is much easier to step into a life of destitution like a puddle and to briskly leave it if the water becomes too cold knowing that there is money behind you and lots of people who are prepared to help you, for a short while at least.
The book is similar in style and content to other works of psycho-geography written by the situationists. Many sections of the book simply list the areas of London Farquharson has walked through, including the names of streets and buildings he passes, interspersed with events and acquaintances he makes along the way.
It is the flux of Robin’s mental state and the variety of situations he encounters that make the book an interesting and vibrant account of London in the late-60s. He copies information on a notice board, and rates graffiti in a public toilet for spelling, grammar and general interest.
(Robin Farquharson attributes many of these quotes to John Anthony Berridge, a Brasenose contemporary)
"After LSD
, one is likely to be much less attracted by money and luxuries and material success"
"A rolling stone gathers speed."
"A stitch in time distorts eternity."
movement.
He became a British subject in 1968.
Robin is also said to have helped tear down the walls at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970
.
near to St. Pancras churchyard, Farquharson died from his burns. Two workers also living in the house were tried for his death and found guilty of "unlawful killing".
Game theory
Game theory is a mathematical method for analyzing calculated circumstances, such as in games, where a person’s success is based upon the choices of others...
, which he wrote an influential analysis of voting systems in his doctoral thesis, later published as Theory of Voting.
Farquharson diagnosed himself as suffering from bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
(manic depression), and episodes of mania
Mania
Mania, the presence of which is a criterion for certain psychiatric diagnoses, is a state of abnormally elevated or irritable mood, arousal, and/ or energy levels. In a sense, it is the opposite of depression...
made it difficult for him to obtain a permanent position at a university and also resulted in him losing commercial employment. In later years, Farquharson dropped out
Dropping out
Dropping out means leaving a group for either practical reasons, necessities or disillusionment with the system from which the individual in question leaves....
of mainstream society, and became a prominent counter-cultural figure in late-60s London. Farquharson wrote an account of his unconventional life in his 1968 book, Drop Out!, in which he described a week of being homeless in London.
In 1973 Robin Farquharson died
from the burns
associated with an arson,
for which two persons were convicted of unlawful killing
Unlawful killing
In English law unlawful killing is a verdict that can be returned by an inquest in England and Wales when someone has been killed by one or several unknown persons. The verdict means that the killing was done without lawful excuse and in breach of criminal law. This includes murder, manslaughter,...
.
Schooling
- Michaelhouse, Natal, South Africa, 1944–1946.
- B.A. (South Africa) Rhodes University College, Grahamstown, 1947–1950.
- B.A., second class honours, PPE, University of Oxford, Brasenose and Nuffield Colleges, 1950–1953.
- B.A. 1953–1954 (?) His studies at this time were overseen by David Butler of Nuffield College, Oxford University.
- D.Phil awarded, June, 1958, from Nuffield College for his thesis entitled: "An Approach to a Pure Theory of Voting Procedures".
- Cambridge 1964 Research Fellowship at Churchill College
Robin Farquharson also studied at the Sorbonne in Paris.
Whilst studying as an undergraduate at Oxford Farquharson was a contemporary of John Searle
John Searle
John Rogers Searle is an American philosopher and currently the Slusser Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley.-Biography:...
, Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
, and Sir Michael Dummett
Research on voting
Farquharson wrote a monograph on the analysis of voting procedures and several papers, including a notable paper with Michael DummettMichael Dummett
Sir Michael Anthony Eardley Dummett FBA D.Litt is a British philosopher. He was, until 1992, Wykeham Professor of Logic at the University of Oxford...
that conjectured the Gibbard-Satterthwaite theorem
Gibbard-Satterthwaite theorem
The Gibbard–Satterthwaite theorem, named after Allan Gibbard and Mark Satterthwaite, is a result about the deterministic voting systems that choose a single winner using only the preferences of the voters, where each voter ranks all candidates in order of preference...
.
Strategic voting
Robin Farquharson published influential articles on the theory of voting: In particular, in an article with Michael DummettMichael Dummett
Sir Michael Anthony Eardley Dummett FBA D.Litt is a British philosopher. He was, until 1992, Wykeham Professor of Logic at the University of Oxford...
, Farquharson conjectured that deterministic voting rules with more than three issues faced endemic strategic voting. The Dummett-Farquharson conjecture was proved by Allan Gibbard
Allan Gibbard
Allan Gibbard is the Richard B. Brandt Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Allan Gibbard has made several contributions to contemporary ethical theory, in particular metaethics...
, a philosopher and former student of Kenneth J. Arrow and John Rawls
John Rawls
John Bordley Rawls was an American philosopher and a leading figure in moral and political philosophy. He held the James Bryant Conant University Professorship at Harvard University....
, and by Mark A. Satterthwaite, an economist.
After the establishment of the Farquarson-Dummett conjecture by Gibbard and Sattherthwaite, Michael Dummett contributed three proofs of the Gibbard–Satterthwaite theorem in his monograph on voting.
Theory of Voting
Theory of Voting was originally Robin Farquharson's P.h.D thesis but was deemed to be of such a high quality it was later published as a book in its own right.In the field of political game theory
Game theory
Game theory is a mathematical method for analyzing calculated circumstances, such as in games, where a person’s success is based upon the choices of others...
, Farquharson's main contribution was his exposition of the Condorcet paradox regarding the sincerity of voters. The problem was initially raised by Pliny the Younger
Pliny the Younger
Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, born Gaius Caecilius or Gaius Caecilius Cilo , better known as Pliny the Younger, was a lawyer, author, and magistrate of Ancient Rome. Pliny's uncle, Pliny the Elder, helped raise and educate him...
then picked up again in the political pamphlets of Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) who was a significant influence on Robin Farquharson.
Even though Theory of Voting was first written and Farquharson's doctorate awarded in 1958 it was eventually published in 1969, by Yale University Press. The main reason given for the lateness of its publication is that the Robin insisted the logical choice diagrams be printed in full-colour, which they eventually were, in black, white and red.
The book won the Monograph Prize in the field of Social Sciences, awarded by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
.
Mental illness
At some point, Robin Farquharson came to diagnose himself as suffering from several mental illnesses including bipolar disorderBipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
(manic depression) and cyclothymia
Cyclothymia
Cyclothymia is a mood and mental disorder in the bipolar spectrum that causes both hypomanic and depressive episodes. It is defined medically within the bipolar spectrum and consists of recurrent disturbances between sudden hypomania and dysthymic episodes. The diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder is...
.
Robin's condition caused him to frequently be absent from his university studies November 1955 to March 1957. (He was further absent from his studies after the death of his father)
Call to the Warden of All Souls College
As Michael DummettMichael Dummett
Sir Michael Anthony Eardley Dummett FBA D.Litt is a British philosopher. He was, until 1992, Wykeham Professor of Logic at the University of Oxford...
remembers, In 1955, Farquharson sat the Fellowship examination for All Souls College. On the evening before an election meeting was held to discuss Farquharson's admission as a Fellow, the Warden of the College received a telephone call, which started with the words: "Do you have a pen and paper?" Farquharson tried to dictate what Michael describes (he was not present himself) as a "lengthy statement in quasi-technical language, expounding a discovery in which would have solve [sic.] many problems in mathematics, mathematical logic, physics, economics and the theory of voting."
Dummett's clarifies the accuracy of his recollection: "I know very well what it was like: though I was away for the year in California, Farquharson also telephoned me there in just the same manner."
Farquharson was undergoing an attack of his mental illness which it is believed caused him to contact the College Warden.
Dummett believes that Farquharson was far and above the best candidate for the election to the college but when the Warden chose to mention Farquharson's telephone call to the Fellows. And in raising this point Dummett believes the Warden "…inferred that Farquharson had gone mad" which no doubt led to his not being elected to the senior position of Fellow at All Souls College.
Farquharson briefly describes the incident in Drop Out!: "…when as a candidate for a Fellowship of All Souls, I had destroyed my chances by a telephone call to the Warden, calling him from his high table to tell him that I had a message from God for him."
Mental Health Activism
After fully dropping out Robin Farquharson did some work supporting the mental health patient reform groups of the late 60s, working with organizations such as the Mental Patients Union. He wrote, campaigned and argued with other members of the group for mental patients to have a greater say in their own treatment. He also helped to secure squat sites and rent houses for groups to hold meetings and simply for a place to live.Farquharson was a mental health activist working both with Tommie Ritchie in the Scottish Union of Mental Patients (SUMP) during 1972 and then the Mental Patients Union in 1973 shortly before his death.
He was the first member of SUMP from outside Hartwood Hospital
Hartwood
Hartwood is a village in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. Nearby settlements include Shotts, Allanton and Bonkle. The area is rural, with fewer than 50 houses....
. He wrote, campaigned and argued with other members of the group for mental patients to have a greater say in their own treatment. He also helped to secure squat sites and rent houses for groups to hold meetings and simply for a place to live.
Later life and work
After being rejected from a prospective Fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford, Robin Farquharson worked for a brief time as an academic at Cambridge University.After losing this job Robin worked in various other administrative positions, including being a manager for a call center.
Robin Farquharson also contributed to the counter-cultural Bitman magazine which published a special obituary edition as tribute to Robin after his death in 1973.
His friend, Guy Legge, who knew Robin from his time in Horton mental asylum, thought Robin was an alcoholic and blames his wild mood swings on his dependency.
Autobiographical Drop Out!
Published 1968, by Anthony Blond.Dropping out
Dropping out
Dropping out means leaving a group for either practical reasons, necessities or disillusionment with the system from which the individual in question leaves....
commonly refers to a person who has left an educational institution without completing the course. This does not apply in the same way to Robin Farquharson who held several degrees. The title of his book more accurately refers to his dropping-out from the comfort of academic life into the uncertainty of London street-life.
The book begins with a quote from a poem by the author and critic Matthew Arnold
Matthew Arnold
Matthew Arnold was a British poet and cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools. He was the son of Thomas Arnold, the famed headmaster of Rugby School, and brother to both Tom Arnold, literary professor, and William Delafield Arnold, novelist and colonial administrator...
:
We cannot kindle when we will
The fire which in the heart resides,
The spirit bloweth and is still,
In mystery our soul abides:
But tasks in hours of insight willed
Can be through hours of gloom fulfilled.
– Matthew Arnold, Morality.
Essentially the book is an account of Robin Farquharson finding himself homeless and with little money and many debts to claim, both through circumstance and his own actions. In an experimental spirit he attempts to forsake money (several times and with varying success) as a kind of restrictive social evil. This leaves him with very little option but to sleep rough and stay with friends or acquaintances now and again. The book includes a chapter on the free help offered by Rhaune Laslett
Rhaune Laslett
Rhaune Laslett was a community activist and the principal organiser of the Notting Hill Fayre or Festival, that evolved into the Notting Hill Carnival....
and the Notting Hill Neighbourhood Service.
Many people see the book as a slightly forced and therefore somewhat un-genuine attempt to slum it with the lower classes is that Robin is so often bailed out by either good fortune, the kindness of strangers or old friends. It is much easier to step into a life of destitution like a puddle and to briskly leave it if the water becomes too cold knowing that there is money behind you and lots of people who are prepared to help you, for a short while at least.
The book is similar in style and content to other works of psycho-geography written by the situationists. Many sections of the book simply list the areas of London Farquharson has walked through, including the names of streets and buildings he passes, interspersed with events and acquaintances he makes along the way.
It is the flux of Robin’s mental state and the variety of situations he encounters that make the book an interesting and vibrant account of London in the late-60s. He copies information on a notice board, and rates graffiti in a public toilet for spelling, grammar and general interest.
Quotations from Drop Out!
Below are several quotes featured in Drop Out!(Robin Farquharson attributes many of these quotes to John Anthony Berridge, a Brasenose contemporary)
"After LSD
LSD
Lysergic acid diethylamide, abbreviated LSD or LSD-25, also known as lysergide and colloquially as acid, is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug of the ergoline family, well known for its psychological effects which can include altered thinking processes, closed and open eye visuals, synaesthesia, an...
, one is likely to be much less attracted by money and luxuries and material success"
"A rolling stone gathers speed."
"A stitch in time distorts eternity."
Political activity
In 1965 his South African passport was revoked as a result of his part in the lobbying, on behalf of SAN-ROC for South Africa’s exclusion from the Olympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan; in 1964. He was rumoured to have been a member of the political White PantherWhite panther
A white panther is a white specimen of any of several species of larger cat. "Panther" is used in some parts of North America to mean the Cougar , in South America to mean the Jaguar and elsewhere it refers to the Leopard . A white panther may therefore be a white cougar, a white jaguar or a white...
movement.
He became a British subject in 1968.
Robin is also said to have helped tear down the walls at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970
Isle of Wight Festival 1970
The 1970 Isle of Wight Festival was held between 26 and 31 August 1970 at East Afton Farm an area on the western side of the Isle of Wight. It was the last of three consecutive music festivals to take place on the island between 1968 and 1970 and widely acknowledged as the largest musical event of...
.
The Squat Years
Towards the end of his life Robin Farquharson spent much of his time in "open-university" squat communities a period in which he met artists and thinkers including the poet Aidan Andrew Dun and the psychiatrist R.D. Laing.Death from arson
Farquharson died in a fire at a house in Platt Street, St. Pancras, London on 1973-04-03, down the road from the St. Pancras Old Church. After being exposed to the fire, Farquharson suffered from third-degree burns. After being taken to the Hospital for Tropical DiseasesHospital for Tropical Diseases
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases is a specialist tropical disease hospital located in London, United Kingdom. It is part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is closely associated with University College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine...
near to St. Pancras churchyard, Farquharson died from his burns. Two workers also living in the house were tried for his death and found guilty of "unlawful killing".