Date of Birth: November 23, 1919
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Date of Death: February 13, 2006
Biography
Sir Peter Frederick Strawson, commonly known as P. F. Strawson, was a prominent British philosopher and a leading figure in 20th-century analytic philosophy. Born in London, Strawson’s work primarily focused on the philosophy of language, metaphysics, and epistemology. He is best known for his influential book “Individuals: An Essay in Descriptive Metaphysics,” published in 1959, which challenged the prevailing logical positivism of the time. Strawson argued for a descriptive metaphysics that sought to describe the most general aspects of our conceptual framework. Throughout his career, he held various academic positions, most notably as the Waynflete Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy at the University of Oxford from 1968 to 1987. Knighted in 1977 for his services to philosophy, Strawson continued to contribute to philosophical discourse until his death in 2006.
5 Interesting Facts about P. F. Strawson
1. P. F. Strawson served in the British Army during World War II before beginning his academic career.
2. He was knighted in 1977, becoming Sir Peter Frederick Strawson.
3. Strawson’s essay “On Referring” (1950) is considered a seminal work in the philosophy of language.
4. He was a member of the British Academy and received numerous honors for his contributions to philosophy.
5. Strawson’s work laid the groundwork for many contemporary discussions in metaphysics and epistemology.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from P. F. Strawson
1. “There is a gulf between the real world and the ideal world of language, but it is not unbridgeable.”
2. “A descriptive metaphysics does not seek to improve upon the structure of our thought about the world.”
3. “Freedom is as important to the moral life as it is to the political life.”
4. “The concept of a person is logically prior to that of an individual human being, because to be a person is to be capable of certain complex forms of behavior.”
5. “Metaphysics is the finding of bad reasons for what we believe upon instinct.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
There is no public record of P. F. Strawson’s net worth, as philosophers typically do not amass significant wealth through their academic careers.
Children
P. F. Strawson had two children: Galen Strawson, who is also a philosopher, and another child whose details are less publicly known.
Relevant Links
1. [P. F. Strawson – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._F._Strawson
3. [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy – P. F. Strawson](https://iep.utm.edu/strawson/
4. [PhilPapers – P. F. Strawson](https://philpapers.org/s/P.%20F.%20Strawson
