Date of Birth: July 4, 1937
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Biography
Thomas Nagel is a distinguished American philosopher, renowned for his contributions to various fields, including philosophy of mind, political philosophy, and ethics. Born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Nagel immigrated to the United States at a young age. He pursued his higher education at Cornell University, subsequently earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1958. He continued his academic journey at Harvard University, where he completed his Master’s degree in 1960, and later obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford in 1963. Nagel has held teaching positions at several prestigious institutions, including Princeton University and New York University, where he is currently Professor Emeritus. His seminal works, such as “The View from Nowhere” and “What is it like to be a bat?” have left an indelible mark on contemporary philosophy. His arguments often tackle the complexities of subjective experience, consciousness, and the limitations of scientific understanding in explaining the human mind. Throughout his career, Nagel has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Balzan Prize for Theoretical Philosophy in 2008. His intellectual rigor and commitment to exploring fundamental questions about human existence continue to inspire students and scholars worldwide.
5 Interesting Facts about Thomas Nagel
1. Thomas Nagel was born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and moved to the United States at a young age.
2. His essay “What is it like to be a bat?” is one of the most frequently cited works in the philosophy of mind.
3. Nagel has been a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences since 1974.
4. He received the Balzan Prize for Theoretical Philosophy in 2008.
5. Nagel has been a vocal critic of reductionist approaches to understanding consciousness.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Thomas Nagel
1. “The subjective domain of consciousness is an irreducible feature of reality.”
2. “I believe that the mind-body problem is inherently unsolvable.”
3. “We are not simply physical organisms; we are conscious beings with subjective experiences.”
4. “Ethics is not only about what we do but about who we are.”
5. “A view from nowhere is not a view from anywhere.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Thomas Nagel’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $1.5 million.
Children
Thomas Nagel has two children, a son and a daughter, from his marriage to Anne Hollander, an art historian and author.
Relevant Links
1. [Thomas Nagel’s Profile on NYU Website](https://as.nyu.edu/faculty/thomas-nagel.html
2. [Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy – Thomas Nagel](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/nagel/
4. [Balzan Prize Award Information](https://www.balzan.org/en/prizewinners/thomas-nagel
5. [Philosophy Now – Thomas Nagel](https://philosophynow.org/issues/102/Thomas_Nagel