Strawson
contemporaryAnalytic Philosophy, Ordinary Language Philosophy1919 – 2006
P.F. Strawson (Peter Frederick Strawson, 1919–2006) was a British analytic philosopher and one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century philosophy of language, metaphysics, and epistemology. He is best known for reviving descriptive metaphysics, his critique of Russell's theory of definite descriptions, and his landmark essay on reactive attitudes and moral responsibility.
Notable Achievements
1
Developed the distinction between referring and predicating in 'On Referring' (1950), challenging Russell's theory of descriptions
2
Articulated 'descriptive metaphysics' in 'Individuals' (1959), aiming to uncover the conceptual structure implicit in ordinary thought
3
Introduced the concept of reactive attitudes in 'Freedom and Resentment' (1962), reshaping compatibilist accounts of moral responsibility
4
Argued for non-reductionism about testimony, holding that testimonial justification can transmit through chains without requiring independent verification at each link
5