1934 – 2006
D.Z. Phillips (1934-2006) was a Welsh philosopher of religion known for his Wittgensteinian approach to religious language and belief. He argued that religious discourse should be understood on its own terms rather than assessed by external philosophical or scientific criteria, developing a non-realist interpretation of religious practice.
Developed a Wittgensteinian philosophy of religion emphasizing religious language as a distinct form of life
Authored influential works including 'The Concept of Prayer' and 'Religion Without Explanation'
Served as Danforth Professor of Philosophy of Religion at Claremont Graduate University
Edited the journal Philosophical Investigations for many years
Critiqued both theistic realism and traditional atheistic critiques of religion