Georg Henrik von Wright
contemporaryAnalytic Philosophy1916 – 2003
Georg Henrik von Wright (1916–2003) was a Finnish analytic philosopher and logician, widely regarded as one of the most significant philosophers of the twentieth century. He is best known as the founder of modern deontic logic and for his influential work on modal logic, the logic of norms, and the philosophy of action. A close friend and literary executor of Ludwig Wittgenstein, he also made substantial contributions to the philosophy of causality and explanation.
Notable Achievements
1
Founded modern deontic logic with his 1951 paper 'Deontic Logic'
2
Developed an influential theory of action and practical inference in 'Norm and Action' (1963) and 'Explanation and Understanding' (1971)
3
Succeeded Wittgenstein in the Chair of Philosophy at Cambridge (1948–1951) and served as Wittgenstein's literary executor
4
Made foundational contributions to modal and temporal logic, including analysis of future contingencies and the logic of change
5
Elected President of the International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and held the Academy of Finland's highest research position