C. D. Broad

C._D._Broad_philosopher

C. D. Broad

Charlie Dunbar Broad (30 December 1887 – 11 March 1971) was an English philosopher known for his work in philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, ethics, and the history of philosophy. He was a prominent figure in the early 20th century and made significant contributions to the understanding of perception, time, and consciousness.

Early Life and Education

C. D. Broad was born in Harlesden, London, and educated at Dulwich College and Trinity College, Cambridge. At Cambridge, he studied under the philosopher G. E. Moore and became deeply influenced by his analytical approach to philosophy.

Academic Career

Broad began his academic career as a lecturer at St. Andrews University in 1920. He later returned to Cambridge, where he became a fellow of Trinity College and eventually succeeded John McTaggart as the Knightbridge Professor of Moral Philosophy in 1933. He held this position until his retirement in 1953.

Philosophical Contributions

Broad's work covered a wide range of topics, but he is perhaps best known for his contributions to the philosophy of mind and the philosophy of time.

Philosophy of Mind

In the philosophy of mind, Broad is known for his detailed analysis of perception and consciousness. He argued for a form of emergentism, suggesting that mental properties emerge from physical processes but are not reducible to them.

Philosophy of Time

Broad made significant contributions to the philosophy of time, particularly with his distinction between the A-series and B-series of time, a concept originally introduced by J. M. E. McTaggart. Broad's analysis helped clarify the debate between those who view time as a series of events (A-series) and those who see it as a series of relations (B-series).

Ethics

In ethics, Broad was known for his work on utilitarianism and deontological ethics. He critically examined the works of Immanuel Kant and Jeremy Bentham, providing a balanced view of their ethical theories.

History of Philosophy

Broad also made significant contributions to the history of philosophy, particularly through his studies of Leibniz, Spinoza, and Berkeley. His historical analyses were noted for their clarity and depth.

Legacy

C. D. Broad's work has had a lasting impact on various fields of philosophy. His analytical approach and detailed examinations of complex philosophical issues continue to be studied and respected. Broad's influence is evident in the works of later philosophers such as A. J. Ayer and Gilbert Ryle.

Selected Works

• Perception, Physics, and Reality (1914)
• The Mind and Its Place in Nature (1925)
• Five Types of Ethical Theory (1930)
• Examination of McTaggart's Philosophy (1933-1938)

Related Pages

• Philosophy of mind
• Philosophy of time
• Ethics
• G. E. Moore
• John McTaggart
• A. J. Ayer
• Gilbert Ryle

See Also

• Emergentism
• A-series and B-series
• Utilitarianism
• Deontological ethics