Simon Blackburn
Encyclopedia
Simon Blackburn is a British academic philosopher known for his work in quasi-realism
and his efforts to popularise philosophy
. He recently retired as professor of philosophy at the University of Cambridge
, but remains a distinguished research professor of philosophy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
, teaching every fall semester. He is also a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge
, and a member of the professoriate of New College of the Humanities
. He was previously a Fellow of Pembroke College, Oxford
and has also taught full time at the University of North Carolina as an Edna J. Koury Professor. He is a former president of the Aristotelian Society
, having served the 2009-2010 term.
In philosophy, he is best known as the proponent of quasi-realism in meta-ethics
and as a defender of neo-Hume
an views on a variety of topics. He is a vice-president of the British Humanist Association
and a former editor of the journal Mind
. He makes occasional appearances in the British media, such as on BBC Radio 4
's The Moral Maze
.
Blackburn was elected a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
in 2007. He was one of 55 public figures to sign an open letter published in The Guardian in September 2010, stating their opposition to Pope Benedict XVI
's state visit to the UK.
and went on to receive his bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1965 from Trinity College, Cambridge
. He obtained his doctorate in 1970 from Churchill College, Cambridge
.
Quasi-realism
Quasi-realism is the meta-ethical view which claims that:# Ethical sentences do not express propositions.# Instead, ethical sentences project emotional attitudes as though they were real properties....
and his efforts to popularise philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
. He recently retired as professor of philosophy at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, but remains a distinguished research professor of philosophy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
, teaching every fall semester. He is also a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, and a member of the professoriate of New College of the Humanities
New College of the Humanities
New College of the Humanities is a proposed new private for-profit undergraduate college in London, England, the creation of which was announced in June 2011 by the philosopher A.C. Grayling, its founder and first master...
. He was previously a Fellow of Pembroke College, Oxford
Pembroke College, Oxford
Pembroke College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England, located in Pembroke Square. As of 2009, Pembroke had an estimated financial endowment of £44.9 million.-History:...
and has also taught full time at the University of North Carolina as an Edna J. Koury Professor. He is a former president of the Aristotelian Society
Aristotelian Society
The Aristotelian Society for the Systematic Study of Philosophy was founded at a meeting on 19 April 1880, at 17 Bloomsbury Square which resolved "to constitute a society of about twenty and to include ladies; the society to meet fortnightly, on Mondays at 8 o'clock, at the rooms of the Spelling...
, having served the 2009-2010 term.
In philosophy, he is best known as the proponent of quasi-realism in meta-ethics
Meta-ethics
In philosophy, meta-ethics is the branch of ethics that seeks to understand the nature of ethical properties, statements, attitudes, and judgments. Meta-ethics is one of the three branches of ethics generally recognized by philosophers, the others being normative ethics and applied ethics. Ethical...
and as a defender of neo-Hume
David Hume
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, known especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism. He was one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and the Scottish Enlightenment...
an views on a variety of topics. He is a vice-president of the British Humanist Association
British Humanist Association
The British Humanist Association is an organisation of the United Kingdom which promotes Humanism and represents "people who seek to live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs." The BHA is committed to secularism, human rights, democracy, egalitarianism and mutual respect...
and a former editor of the journal Mind
Mind (journal)
Mind is a British journal, currently published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Mind Association, which deals with philosophy in the analytic tradition...
. He makes occasional appearances in the British media, such as on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
's The Moral Maze
The Moral Maze
The Moral Maze is a radio programme on BBC Radio 4, broadcast since 1990.-Structure:Four regular panellists discuss moral and ethical issues relating to a recent news story. The debate is often combative and guest witnesses may be cross-examined aggressively. The programme is hosted by Michael Buerk...
.
Blackburn was elected a Foreign Honorary Member of 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...
in 2007. He was one of 55 public figures to sign an open letter published in The Guardian in September 2010, stating their opposition to Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
's state visit to the UK.
Education
Blackburn attended Clifton CollegeClifton College
Clifton College is a co-educational independent school in Clifton, Bristol, England, founded in 1862. In its early years it was notable for emphasising science in the curriculum, and for being less concerned with social elitism, e.g. by admitting day-boys on equal terms and providing a dedicated...
and went on to receive his bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1965 from Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
. He obtained his doctorate in 1970 from Churchill College, Cambridge
Churchill College, Cambridge
Churchill College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.In 1958, a Trust was established with Sir Winston Churchill as its Chairman of Trustees, to build and endow a college for 60 fellows and 540 Students as a national and Commonwealth memorial to Winston Churchill; its...
.
Books
- Reason and Prediction (1973). ISBN 0-521-08742-2.
- Spreading the Word (1984) - a text. ISBN 0-19-824650-1.
- Essays in Quasi-RealismQuasi-realismQuasi-realism is the meta-ethical view which claims that:# Ethical sentences do not express propositions.# Instead, ethical sentences project emotional attitudes as though they were real properties....
(1993). ISBN 0-19-508041-6 and ISBN 0-19-508224-9. - The Oxford Dictionary of PhilosophyThe Oxford Dictionary of PhilosophyThe Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy is a dictionary of philosophical terms published by Oxford University Press and written by Simon Blackburn. The dictionary was first published in 1994. The first entry is "Abbagnano, Nicola;" the last is "zygote."...
(1994) - compiled whole-handedly. ISBN 0-19-211694-0. - Ruling Passions (1998) - a defense of quasi-realism as applied to ethics. ISBN 0-19-824785-0.
- Truth (1999) (edited w/ Keith Simmons) - from Oxford Readings in Philosophy series. ISBN 0-19-875250-4.
- Think: A Compelling Introduction to PhilosophyThink: A Compelling Introduction to PhilosophyThink: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy is an introduction to philosophy book written by Simon Blackburn. It covers subjects such as epistemology, philosophy of the mind, free will and philosophy of religion.- External Links :...
. (1999) ISBN 0-19-210024-6 and ISBN 0-19-969087-1. - Being Good (2001) - an introduction to ethicsEthicsEthics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
. ISBN 0-19-210052-1.- Reprinted as Ethics: A Very Short Introduction in Oxford University PressOxford University PressOxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
' Very Short Introductions series http://www.oup.co.uk/general/vsi/. ISBN 0-19-280442-1.
- Reprinted as Ethics: A Very Short Introduction in Oxford University Press
- Lust (2004) - one of an Oxford University PressOxford University PressOxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
series covering the Seven Deadly SinsSeven deadly sinsThe 7 Deadly Sins, also known as the Capital Vices or Cardinal Sins, is a classification of objectionable vices that have been used since early Christian times to educate and instruct followers concerning fallen humanity's tendency to sin...
. ISBN 0-19-516200-5. - Truth: A Guide (2005). ISBN 0-19-516824-0.
- Plato's Republic: A Biography (2006) - from Atlantic Books' Books That Shook the World series. ISBN 1-84-354350-8.
External links
- Personal website
- Simon Blackburn talks with Jenny Attiyeh on ThoughtcastThoughtcastThoughtCast is a Podcast and public radio interview program with authors and academics. The interviews are conducted by Jenny Attiyeh, a former public radio and TV reporter from Manhattan and elsewhere whose previous work focused on covering the arts and ideas...
- BBC News story
- Blackburn Essay 'In defence of lust' in The New Statesman
- Blackburn Discusses the Value of Truth on Philosophy Talk Radio ProgramPhilosophy TalkPhilosophy Talk is a talk radio program co-hosted by John Perry and Ken Taylor, who are professors at Stanford University. The show is also available as a podcast, available for purchase. The program deals both with fundamental problems of philosophy and with the works of famous philosophers,...
- Blackburn discusses Plato's Republic
- An interview with Simon Blackburn on The Marketplace of Ideas