•  1411
    Can the self be a brain?
    Principia: An International Journal of Epistemology 19 (2). 2015.
    Philosophical materialists suggest that a person can be identified with their brain. My paper is a critical investigation of this provocative thesis and an analysis of some of the prominent arguments to support this view. My overall argument is that there is more to this issue than some philosophers appear to acknowledge.
  •  1355
    In his The Problems of Philosophy Bertrand Russell presents us with his famous argument for representative realism. After a clear and accessible analysis of sensations, qualities and the multiplicity of perceptions of the qualities of physical objects, Russell concludes with a bold statement: "The real table, if there is one, is not immediately known to us at all, but must be an inference from what is immediately known". My argument and analysis strongly suggests that the conclusion that Rus…Read more
  •  1276
    Language and Hume's search for a theory of the self
    Metaphysica: Internationale Fachzeitschrift Für Ontologie Und Metaphysik (Issue 2). 2015.
    In his Treatise Hume makes a profound suggestion: philosophical problems, especially problems in metaphysics, are verbal. This view is most vigorously articulated and defended in the course of his investigation of the problem of the self, in the section “Of personal identity.” My paper is a critical exploration of Hume's arguments for this influential thesis and an analysis of the context that informs this 1739 version of the nature of philosophical problems that anticipates the linguistic turn …Read more
  •  1078
    Hume on the Self
    Metaphysica 13 (1): 65-85. 2012.
    In the Treatise Hume argues that a person is “nothing but a bundle of perceptions”. But what precisely is the meaning of this bundle thesis of a person? In my paper, an attempt is made to articulate two plausible interpretations of this controversial view and to identify and evaluate a number of problems for this thesis that is central to Hume’s account of the self.
  •  950
    A Lady, Her Philosopher and a Contradiction
    Russell: The Journal of Bertrand Russell Studies 19 (1). 2014.
    Nineteen eleven was a tumultuous year for Bertrand Russell, both personally and academically. The intense scholarly activity of 1911 that resulted in an impressive set of diverse academic publications and manuscripts was accompanied by a number of personal entanglements that were equally intense for Russell. Two of these relationships would prove to be especially strained. Late Wednesday afternoon, 18 October 1911, Russell met Ludwig Wittgenstein for the first time. As we know from the numerous …Read more
  •  861
    Russell on Hume’s Account of the Self
    Russell: The Journal of Bertrand Russell Studies 33 (1). 2013.
    The History of Western Philosophy enhanced Russell’s broad reputation among members of the public and helped secure his finances. But the academic community was less enthusiastic about the text and tended to treat it with contempt. My paper is a critical investigation of one of the central chapters of Russell’s History: namely, Russell’s rendition of David Hume’s views on the self. My argument is that Russell’s concise treat­ment of le bon David’s provocative views on the self must be read with …Read more
  •  778
    Is Hume attempting to introduce a new, pragmatic conception of a contradiction in his Treatise?
    Principia: An International Journal of Epistemology 20 (3): 315-323. 2016.
    Hume’s Treatise, with its celebrated bundle theory of the self, is a significant contribution to the embryonic Newtonian experimental philosophy of the enlightenment. But the theory is inadequate as it stands, as the appendix to the Treatise makes clear. For this account of the self, apparently, rests on contradictory principles — propositions, fortunately, that can be reconciled, according to Hume. My paper is a critical exploration of Hume’s argument for this intriguing suggestion.
  •  505
    On Hume's Defense of Berkeley
    Open Journal of Philosophy 5 (6). 2015.
    In 1739 Hume bequeathed a bold view of the self to the philosophical community that would prove highly influential, but equally controversial. His bundle theory of the self elicited substantial opposition soon after its appearance in the Treatise of Human Nature. Yet Hume makes it clear to his readers that his views on the self rest on respectable foundations: namely, the views of the highly regarded Irish philosopher, George Berkeley. As the author of the Treatise sees it, his account of the se…Read more
  •  487
    Hume's Labyrinth
    Annales Philosophici 5. 2012.
    In the appendix to his Treatise Hume admits that his philosophy of mind is defective. Reluctantly he asserts that his thought has ensnared him in a labyrinth. Referring specifically to the section in the Treatise on personal identity and the self, the young Scot admits that he is “involv’d in such a labyrinth, that, I must confess, I neither know how to correct my former opinions, nor how to render them consistent.” (Treatise 633) My paper is a critical investigation of this characterization of …Read more
  •  468
    Did Russell experience an epiphany in 1911?
    Principia: An International Journal of Epistemology 23 (1): 1-17. 2019.
    Bertrand Russell’s conception of philosophy evolved dramatically in 1911 — the year he fell in love with Lady Ottoline Morrell. For many years Russell had been an ardent advocate of the view that philosophers ought to look for truths that are certain. The co-author of Principia Mathematica altered his commitment to certainty in philosophy in 1911. An analysis of his published views and correspondence from this time strongly suggests that the radical transformation was induced by an epiphany brou…Read more
  •  465
    An analysis of two accounts on the sense of singular terms
    Dialectica 42 (3): 221-231. 1988.
    This paper is a critical investigation of Gottlob Frege's and Bertrand Russell's views on the sense or meaning of singular terms. In his famous "On denoting" Russell erects his case on objections that he raises against Frege. I suggest that Russell's criticisms of Frege are seriously misguided, due in large measure to the uneven applications of his terminology when addressing Frege's views.
  •  456
    Is Hume's account of the Soul contradictory?
    International Journal of Philosophy and Theology: American Research Institute for Policy Development 2 (4). 2014.
    In his Treatise of Human Nature Hume argues for a provocative account of the soul; the soul - or self, as he prefers to call it - is nothing but a bundle of perceptions. But this bold thesis, concedes Hume, gives rise to a predicament concerning two incompatible propositions, or principles as he calls them: one on the nature of perceptions, the other on the capabilities of the mind: "In short, there are two principles, which I cannot render consistent; nor is it in my power to renounce either of…Read more
  •  413
    Some Questions About Kant’s “Clear Question”
    Southwest Philosophy Review 14 (2): 1-15. 1998.
    Kant's correspondence with his colleague and zealous disciple, Marcus Herz, was prophetic: only a few will understand the Critique of Pure Reason. Unfortunately, the problems are intractable and the necessary conceptual scheme to deal with the problems requires a "complete change of thinking in this part of human knowledge". But eventually people will "get over the initial numbness" Kant reassures another correspondent, Christian Garve. Fortunately, he suggests, there is a central question at t…Read more
  •  367
    Hume's Labyrinth: A Search for the Self
    Cambridge Scholars Press. 2012.
    In his magnum opus, David Hume asserts that a person is “nothing but a bundle or collection of different perceptions, which succeed each other with an inconceivable rapidity, and are in a perpetual flux and movement.” (Treatise 252) Hume is clearly proud of his bold thesis, as is borne out by his categorical arguments and analyses on the self. Contributions like this will, in his opinion, help establish a new science of human nature, “which will not be inferior in certainty, and will be much sup…Read more
  •  345
    Hume's contributions to discussions on causality and necessary connection are significant and influential. Yet they remain a source of ongoing debate among philosophers. The analysis in my book is an attempt to dissipate some of the perplexities that surround these issues. The arguments here support what I call a subjectivist interpretation of Hume's views on necessary connection. My central thesis is the suggestion that Hume identifies necessary connection or power with a specific psychological…Read more
  •  309
    Some Thoughts on Thinking and Teaching Styles
    Inquiry: Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines 16 (1): 48-54. 1996.
    Descartes provides us with an invaluable framework for thinking critically. And his views on personhood can serve both as a guide for critical thinking and as a means to sharpen some of the concepts central to these programs. My paper is an attempt to illustrate the effectiveness of the seventeenth century Cartesian conception of thinking for scholars today who stress critical thinking in the classroom.
  •  294
    Semantic holism and observation statements
    Philosophical Papers 13 (2): 19-27. 1984.
    Quine's views on semantic holism and observation statements appear to be incompatible. My paper is an attempt to alleviate this tension.
  •  284
    Hume’s Paradoxical Thesis and His Critics
    Southwest Philosophy Review 11 (2): 65-72. 1995.
    Hume warns his readers that his view on necessity will not be understood by his critics. As he sees it, his view is paradoxical: Necessity is "nothing but an internal impression of the mind, or a determination to carry our thought from one object to another". Recent critics find it difficult to accept Hume's view and have done their best to interpret it in their way. My paper is a critical investigation of the attempts by Pears, Baier and Stoud to "rescue" Hume from his own folly.
  •  266
    Hume on Our Notion of Causality
    Philosophy 64 (247). 1989.
    Does Hume want to weaken our notion of causality? For some he does. My paper is an attempt to refute this interpretation of Hume. My analysis of the texts is an attempt to show that Hume actually endorses the view that the idea of necessary connection, that is associated with the idea of causality, is important and that this idea does exist. Furthermore, this idea is produced by an interesting impression. This impression is unusual as it is a specific internal impression or determination of the …Read more
  •  253
    Some comments on the begriffsschrift and natural language
    Philosophical Papers 12 (2): 32-38. 1983.
    If the begriffsschrift from Frege does represent the logical form of natural language it either lacks a logical form itself, or its logical form is different to that of natural language. But Frege insists that his notation has a logical form. So the second disjunct holds. This suggests that Frege's notation will generate consequences different to those that can be derived with natural language, with its different logical form. For anyone looking for "a means of avoiding misunderstandings", as Fr…Read more
  •  244
    Some Remarks on Russell's Account of Vagueness
    Contemporary Philosophy 3. 1999.
    According to Russell, the notation in Principia Mathematica has been designed to avoid the vagueness endemic to our natural language. But what does Russell think vagueness is? My argument is an attempt to show that his views on vagueness evolved and that the final conception he adopts is not coherent. Three phases of his conception of vagueness are identified, the most significant being the view that he articulates on vagueness in his 1923 address to the Jowett Society. My central thesis is that…Read more
  •  243
    What is the relationship between Russell's conception of philosophy and that of the author of the Tractatus, Ludwig Wittgenstein? My paper is an attempt to show that Russell and the early Wittgenstein do not share the same conception of philosophy and that the fault lines of their divergent views can be located in The Problems of Philosophy i,e, before the traditionally cited Theory of Knowledge manuscript.
  •  231
    Metaphysics, Mysticism and Russell
    Contemporary Philosophy (1 & 2). 2002.
    Towards the end of 1911, Russell complains that philosophy has unfortunately not produced a set of religious beliefs that he can rely on in his personal life. Early in his career philosophy had appeared very promising. But the adoption of G.E. Moores's philosophical views put paid to the "last hope of getting any creed out of philosophy". My paper is an attempt to show that Russell ought to celebrate, and not complain about the products of his philosophical endeavours. His correspondence with La…Read more
  •  110
    Hume and The Self: A Critical Response
    Journal of Scottish Philosophy 5 (1): 15-30. 2007.
    In the discussion of personal identity, from his Treatise of Human Nature, David Hume reaches a famous, if notorious conclusion: there is no self. We are “nothing but a bundle or collection of different perceptions” (T 252). My argument is that Hume's thesis on the self rests on a questionable rejection of a rival view that appears to commit the fallacy of equivocation. Along the way I identify a few possible problems with Hume's overall analysis of the self. My argument is that these diffi cult…Read more
  •  47
    The Rise of Modern Philosophy (review)
    The Leibniz Review 6 149-154. 1996.
    Scholars and teachers are often hard-pressed to look beyond the confines of the specific writings of the philosophers they are discussing in their courses. Ensnared in a set of curricular demands that inevitably compel them to move briskly through their history of philosophy syllabus, there is usually little, if any, opportunity to look around and consider the broader picture—the context in which the philosophers wrote. To some, this seems an unfortunate state of affairs. Karl Popper, for instan…Read more
  •  42
    This edited collection of original essays by prominent Russell scholars focuses on the philosopher's positions on the key issues of nuclear war, peace, and ...
  •  32
    Bertrand Russell has played a central role in the development of modern western philosophy, especially analytic philosophy. An appreciation of the main themes and arguments of the thinkers who contributed to this modern movement in philosophy must include references to and analyses of Russell’s important contributions. It would seem that many do recognize the significance of his thought and have shown this in a somewhat dramatic manner. Russell’s Google number, for instance, is about 2.35 millio…Read more
  •  17
    In this essay I have considered some of the philosophical problems involved in attempting to settle the question, What are scientific theories about? And in order to expose these problems, I have dealt with two influential responses to this question of the referents of scientific theories - namely, logical empiricism and realism
  •  9
    The Rise of Modern Philosophy (review)
    The Leibniz Review 6 149-154. 1996.
    Scholars and teachers are often hard-pressed to look beyond the confines of the specific writings of the philosophers they are discussing in their courses. Ensnared in a set of curricular demands that inevitably compel them to move briskly through their history of philosophy syllabus, there is usually little, if any, opportunity to look around and consider the broader picture—the context in which the philosophers wrote. To some, this seems an unfortunate state of affairs. Karl Popper, for instan…Read more
  •  4
    Reason and Belief: Great Issues in Philosophy (edited book)
    Whittier Publications. 2011.
    This is a collection of brilliant and often lucid philosophical writings that will appeal to and engage students new to philosophy. Spanning the entire history of philosophy, the collection contains material from the Upanishads, Socrates, Aquinas, the British Empiricists, the Continental Philosophers and some of the leading analytic philosophers.