1912 – 1989
Wilfrid Sellars (1912–1989) was an American analytic philosopher widely regarded as one of the most important figures in 20th-century philosophy of mind and epistemology. He is best known for his critique of foundationalist epistemology through the 'Myth of the Given' and for his systematic integration of philosophy of language, mind, and science. His work on the distinction between the 'manifest image' and the 'scientific image' of the world remains foundational in contemporary metaphysics.
Developed the critique of the 'Myth of the Given,' undermining empiricist foundationalism
Distinguished the 'manifest image' from the 'scientific image' as competing frameworks for understanding reality
Authored 'Empiricism and the Philosophy of Mind' (1956), a landmark text in philosophy of mind
Advanced a sophisticated account of intentionality and mental representation grounded in language
Produced influential interpretive work on Kant's theoretical philosophy, particularly regarding space, time, and the categories