John Anderson (philosopher)

John Anderson
John Anderson, University of Sydney, 1926
Born(1893-11-01)1 November 1893
Died6 July 1962(1962-07-06) (aged 68)
Alma materUniversity of Glasgow
Era20th-century philosophy
RegionWestern philosophy
SchoolAnalytic philosophy
Australian realism
Libertarianism
Notable studentsJohn Passmore, A. J. Baker, David Armstrong, Futa Helu, David Stove, J. L. Mackie
Main interests
Political philosophy, ethics, philosophy of sexuality, philosophy of religion
Notable ideas
Systematic realism[1]
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John Anderson (1 November 1893 – 6 July 1962) was a Scottish philosopher who occupied the post of Challis Professor of Philosophy at Sydney University from 1927 to 1958. He founded the empirical brand of philosophy known as Australian realism.

Anderson's promotion of 'freethought' in all subjects, including politics and morality, was controversial and brought him into constant conflict with the august senate of the university. However, he is credited with educating a generation of influential 'Andersonian' thinkers and activists—some of whom helped to place Sydney in the forefront of the 'sexual revolution' of the 1950s and 1960s.

To Anderson, an acceptable philosophy must have significant 'sweep' and be capable of challenging and moulding ideas in every aspect of intellect and society.

  1. ^ a b c d e f Cole, Creagh McLean (10 March 2021). "John Anderson". In Zalta, Edward N. (ed.). The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2022 – via Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

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