William Frankena
Encyclopedia
William K. Frankena was an American moral philosopher. Frankena was a member of the University of Michigan's Department of Philosophy for 41 years (1937–78) and chair of the Department for 14 years (1947–61). "He was known within the University for his integrity, courage, forthrightness, and dedication to the fundamental values of the institution." (Michigan Philosophy News, Fall 1995) Frankena "played an especially critical role in defense of fundamental academic freedoms during the McCarthy era
."
, a province in the north of the Netherlands
. William Frankena was the middle of three children. He was born in Manhattan, Montana
, grew up in small Dutch communities in Montana and western Michigan, and spoke Frisian and Dutch
. In primary school, his given name, Wiebe, was Anglicized to William. Throughout his life, his family and friends called him Bill. His mother died when he was nine years old. He graduated from Holland Christian High School in Holland, MI, in 1926. After farming, his father, Nicholas A. Frankena (1875–1955), devoted the later decades of his life to elected office in Zeeland, MI, where he was mayor, and to service as an elder in the Christian Reformed Church in North America
, which was founded by Calvinist Dutch immigrants.
In 1930, Frankena received a B.A. with majors in English and philosophy from Calvin College
, a liberal arts college of the Christian Reformed Church. At Calvin, Frankena studied with William Henry Jellema. Frankena then earned an M.A. from the University of Michigan
(1931), where the Department of Philosophy included C. Harold Langford(1895–1964), DeWitt H. Parker (1885–1949), and Roy Wood Sellars
(1880–1973). Next Frankena earned a second M.A. and a Ph.D. (1937) at Harvard University
. He studied with C. I. Lewis, Ralph Barton Perry
, and Alfred North Whitehead
at Harvard, and with G. E. Moore and C. D. Broad at the University of Cambridge
in England while he did Ph.D. research. His doctoral dissertation, which focused on Moore's work, was entitled "Recent Intuitionism in British Ethics." Frankena became well known in the profession with his first published paper, "The Naturalistic Fallacy," Mind, 1939. During World War II, Frankena taught American history at the University of Michigan.
Frankena met his future wife, Sadie, when they were students at Calvin College. In 1928-29, Sadie was president of Calvin's forensic (oration and debate) club and editor-in-chief of Calvin's literary review, Chimes; Frankena was business manager of the club and associate editor of the review. (Prism, Calvin College, 1929) He and Sadie were married for 44 years, until Sadie's death in 1978. He was an avid birder, and is survived by two sons, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
Many Michigan undergraduates were introduced to philosophy in the popular, historically-based course taught by Frankena and his close friend Paul Henle. For nearly his entire career, Frankena did most of his philosophical reading and writing at home at a desk made circa 1870. When he wrote a philosophical paper, he prepared a detailed outline, including very abbreviated versions of all points and cites, before writing the paper longhand using a mechanical pencil. He never used a typewriter or computer. Frankena greatly valued his many conversations with other moral philosophers throughout the U.S. and western Europe. William K. Frankena's philosophical papers are in the collection of the Bentley Historical Library
at the University of Michigan. His philosophy books are in the collection of the Tanner Philosophy Library in Angell Hall at the University of Michigan.
(APA), chair of the Council for Philosophical Studies, president of the APA's Western Division, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
and of the National Academy of Education, and a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship
, a Fellowship from the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences
, a National Endowment for the Humanities
Senior Fellowship, and a Rockefeller Fellowship. Frankena was also active on Phi Beta Kappa Society
committees. In 1974, he delivered the APA's prestigious Paul Carus Lectures on "Three Questions about Morality." Calvin College named him a Distinguished Alumnus in 1984. Frankena received the University of Michigan's Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award, was Roy Wood Sellars
Distinguished Collegiate Professor of Philosophy, and was the first College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Distinguished Senior Faculty Lecturer.
from the end of World War II well into the 1980s. From metaethics, the history of ethics, and normative ethical theory, to moral education, moral psychology, and applied ethics, to religious ethics and the philosophy of education
, the sweep and quality of his ethical philosophizing was simply extraordinary." When Frankena retired and was awarded emeritus status in 1978, the University Regents stated that "he is renowned for his learning in the history of ethics, a subject about which he is generally believed in the profession to know more than anyone else in the world." The July 1981 issue of The Monist
is devoted to "The Philosophy of William Frankena."
The University has created a chair for the "Carl G. Hempel & William K. Frankena Distinguished University Professor," and annually awards the William K Frankena Prize for excellence in philosophy to an undergraduate student.
McCarthyism
McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence. The term has its origins in the period in the United States known as the Second Red Scare, lasting roughly from the late 1940s to the late 1950s and characterized by...
."
Life
Frankena's father and mother immigrated to the U.S. as teenagers, in 1892 and 1896 respectively, from FrieslandFriesland
Friesland is a province in the north of the Netherlands and part of the ancient region of Frisia.Until the end of 1996, the province bore Friesland as its official name. In 1997 this Dutch name lost its official status to the Frisian Fryslân...
, a province in the north of the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. William Frankena was the middle of three children. He was born in Manhattan, Montana
Manhattan, Montana
Manhattan is a town in Gallatin County, Montana, United States. The population was 1,396 at the 2000 census. It is part of the 'Bozeman Micropolitan Statistical Area'.-Geography:Manhattan is located at ....
, grew up in small Dutch communities in Montana and western Michigan, and spoke Frisian and Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
. In primary school, his given name, Wiebe, was Anglicized to William. Throughout his life, his family and friends called him Bill. His mother died when he was nine years old. He graduated from Holland Christian High School in Holland, MI, in 1926. After farming, his father, Nicholas A. Frankena (1875–1955), devoted the later decades of his life to elected office in Zeeland, MI, where he was mayor, and to service as an elder in the Christian Reformed Church in North America
Christian Reformed Church in North America
The Christian Reformed Church in North America is a Protestant Christian denomination in the United States and Canada. Having roots in the Dutch Reformed churches of the Netherlands, the Christian Reformed Church was founded by Gijsbert Haan and Dutch immigrants who left the Reformed Church in...
, which was founded by Calvinist Dutch immigrants.
In 1930, Frankena received a B.A. with majors in English and philosophy from Calvin College
Calvin College
Calvin College is a comprehensive liberal arts college located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1876, Calvin College is an educational institution of the Christian Reformed Church and stands in the Reformed tradition of Protestantism...
, a liberal arts college of the Christian Reformed Church. At Calvin, Frankena studied with William Henry Jellema. Frankena then earned an M.A. from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
(1931), where the Department of Philosophy included C. Harold Langford(1895–1964), DeWitt H. Parker (1885–1949), and Roy Wood Sellars
Roy Wood Sellars
Roy Wood Sellars was an American philosopher of critical realism and religious humanism, and a proponent of emergent evolution. His son was the philosopher Wilfrid Sellars...
(1880–1973). Next Frankena earned a second M.A. and a Ph.D. (1937) at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. He studied with C. I. Lewis, Ralph Barton Perry
Ralph Barton Perry
Ralph Barton Perry was an American philosopher.-Career:...
, and Alfred North Whitehead
Alfred North Whitehead
Alfred North Whitehead, OM FRS was an English mathematician who became a philosopher. He wrote on algebra, logic, foundations of mathematics, philosophy of science, physics, metaphysics, and education...
at Harvard, and with G. E. Moore and C. D. Broad 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...
in England while he did Ph.D. research. His doctoral dissertation, which focused on Moore's work, was entitled "Recent Intuitionism in British Ethics." Frankena became well known in the profession with his first published paper, "The Naturalistic Fallacy," Mind, 1939. During World War II, Frankena taught American history at the University of Michigan.
Frankena met his future wife, Sadie, when they were students at Calvin College. In 1928-29, Sadie was president of Calvin's forensic (oration and debate) club and editor-in-chief of Calvin's literary review, Chimes; Frankena was business manager of the club and associate editor of the review. (Prism, Calvin College, 1929) He and Sadie were married for 44 years, until Sadie's death in 1978. He was an avid birder, and is survived by two sons, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
Many Michigan undergraduates were introduced to philosophy in the popular, historically-based course taught by Frankena and his close friend Paul Henle. For nearly his entire career, Frankena did most of his philosophical reading and writing at home at a desk made circa 1870. When he wrote a philosophical paper, he prepared a detailed outline, including very abbreviated versions of all points and cites, before writing the paper longhand using a mechanical pencil. He never used a typewriter or computer. Frankena greatly valued his many conversations with other moral philosophers throughout the U.S. and western Europe. William K. Frankena's philosophical papers are in the collection of the Bentley Historical Library
Bentley Historical Library
The Bentley Historical Library is a historical library located on the University of Michigan's North Campus in Ann Arbor. It was established in 1935 by the regents of the University of Michigan...
at the University of Michigan. His philosophy books are in the collection of the Tanner Philosophy Library in Angell Hall at the University of Michigan.
Professional service and recognition
While he was chair of the Michigan Philosophy Department, Frankena devoted a considerable portion of his time to service to the University and the philosophy profession. After that period, he had more time to publish books and articles. During his career Frankena was chair of the Board of Officers of the American Philosophical AssociationAmerican Philosophical Association
The American Philosophical Association is the main professional organization for philosophers in the United States. Founded in 1900, its mission is to promote the exchange of ideas among philosophers, to encourage creative and scholarly activity in philosophy, to facilitate the professional work...
(APA), chair of the Council for Philosophical Studies, president of the APA's Western Division, a 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...
and of the National Academy of Education, and a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowships are American grants that have been awarded annually since 1925 by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation to those "who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts." Each year, the foundation makes...
, a Fellowship from the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences
Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences
The Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences is an American interdisciplinary research body in Stanford, California focusing on the social sciences and humanities . Fellows are elected in a closed process, to spend a period of residence at the Center, released from other duties...
, a National Endowment for the Humanities
National Endowment for the Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent federal agency of the United States established by the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. The NEH is located at...
Senior Fellowship, and a Rockefeller Fellowship. Frankena was also active on Phi Beta Kappa Society
Phi Beta Kappa Society
The Phi Beta Kappa Society is an academic honor society. Its mission is to "celebrate and advocate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences"; and induct "the most outstanding students of arts and sciences at America’s leading colleges and universities." Founded at The College of William and...
committees. In 1974, he delivered the APA's prestigious Paul Carus Lectures on "Three Questions about Morality." Calvin College named him a Distinguished Alumnus in 1984. Frankena received the University of Michigan's Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award, was Roy Wood Sellars
Roy Wood Sellars
Roy Wood Sellars was an American philosopher of critical realism and religious humanism, and a proponent of emergent evolution. His son was the philosopher Wilfrid Sellars...
Distinguished Collegiate Professor of Philosophy, and was the first College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Distinguished Senior Faculty Lecturer.
Legacy
A memorial essay by a member of the Michigan Philosophy Department states that "William Frankena contributed as widely to moral philosophy and its neighboring areas as anyone in that remarkable group that dominated English-speaking ethicsEthics
Ethics, 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:...
from the end of World War II well into the 1980s. From metaethics, the history of ethics, and normative ethical theory, to moral education, moral psychology, and applied ethics, to religious ethics and the philosophy of education
Philosophy of education
Philosophy of education can refer to either the academic field of applied philosophy or to one of any educational philosophies that promote a specific type or vision of education, and/or which examine the definition, goals and meaning of education....
, the sweep and quality of his ethical philosophizing was simply extraordinary." When Frankena retired and was awarded emeritus status in 1978, the University Regents stated that "he is renowned for his learning in the history of ethics, a subject about which he is generally believed in the profession to know more than anyone else in the world." The July 1981 issue of The Monist
The Monist
The Monist: An International Quarterly Journal of General Philosophical Inquiry is an American academic journal in the field of philosophy. It was founded in October 1890 by Edward C. Hegeler, making it one of the longest-established journals in philosophy...
is devoted to "The Philosophy of William Frankena."
The University has created a chair for the "Carl G. Hempel & William K. Frankena Distinguished University Professor," and annually awards the William K Frankena Prize for excellence in philosophy to an undergraduate student.
Selected bibliography
- Ethics, 1963, 1973 (2nd ed.). In 1976, Frankena wrote that, in this book, "I finally worked out, in an elementary version, the outlines of an ethical theory, both normative and metaethical. It is still the fullest and only systematic statement there is of my moral philosophy as a whole." (K.E. Goodpaster, ed., 1976, Chapter 17.)
- Philosophy of Education, 1965.
- Three Historical Philosophies of Education: Aristotle, Kant, Dewey, 1965.
- Introductory Readings in Ethics, W.K. Frankena and J.T. Granrose, eds., 1974.
- Perspectives on Morality: Essays by William K. Frankena, K.E. Goodpaster, ed., 1976. Chapter 17, written by Frankena for this volume, is a chronological review of his thinking and writings on moral philosophy up to the mid-1970s. The volume contains a bibliography of his work through 1975.
- Three Questions about Morality, 1974 Carus Lectures, 1980.
- Thinking about Morality, 1980, is an expansion of the University of Michigan Distinguished Senior Faculty Lecture Series delivered by Frankena.
See also
- American philosophyAmerican philosophyAmerican philosophy is the philosophical activity or output of Americans, both within the United States and abroad. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy notes that while American philosophy lacks a "core of defining features, American Philosophy can nevertheless be seen as both reflecting and...
- Analytic philosophyAnalytic philosophyAnalytic philosophy is a generic term for a style of philosophy that came to dominate English-speaking countries in the 20th century...
- 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:...
- List of American philosophers
- List of ethicists
- List of philosophers (D–H)
- List of University of Michigan faculty and staff
- Manhattan, MontanaManhattan, MontanaManhattan is a town in Gallatin County, Montana, United States. The population was 1,396 at the 2000 census. It is part of the 'Bozeman Micropolitan Statistical Area'.-Geography:Manhattan is located at ....
- Naturalistic fallacyNaturalistic fallacyThe naturalistic fallacy is often claimed to be a formal fallacy. It was described and named by British philosopher G. E. Moore in his 1903 book Principia Ethica...
Further reading
- The Philosophy of Value, 1957, by DeWitt H. Parker, completed with considerable effort by Frankena after Parker's death in 1949, with a preface by Frankena.
- A. Goldman and J. Kim, eds., Values and Morals: Essays in Honor of William Frankena, Charles StevensonCharles StevensonCharles Leslie Stevenson was an American analytic philosopher best known for his work in ethics and aesthetics....
, and Richard BrandtRichard BrandtRichard Booker Brandt was an American philosopher of the utilitarian tradition in moral philosophy. He taught at Swarthmore College before spending the bulk of his career at the University of Michigan, where he taught with Charles Stevenson and William K. Frankena and served as Chairman of the...
, 1978, includes a bibliography of work by Frankena through 1977. - Michigan Philosophy News, Department of Philosophy, University of Michigan, Fall 1995, is largely devoted to William K. Frankena.
External links
- Dr William Klaas "Bill" Frankena, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=30531735
- J.J. Kole, Frankena: "The Moral Point of View Theory", Moral Autonomy and Christian Faith: A Discussion with William K. Frankena, 2002, pp. 21–40, from Kole's personal site, includes biographical sketch.
- J.J. Kole, "Bibliographies" (for William K. Frankena), Moral Autonomy and Christian Faith: A Discussion with William K. Frankena, 2002, from Kole's personal site.
- Obituary, University of Michigan.
- S. Darwall and L.E. Loeb, "William K Frankena (1908-1994)," Department of Philosophy, University of Michigan, Memorial minutes from the Proceedings of the American Philosophical Association, May 1995 (Volume 86, no. 5), pp. 95–96. Also available at JSTOR (subscription required).