David Malet Armstrong

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DavidMArmstrong

David Malet Armstrong (8 July 1926 – 13 May 2014), often referred to as D. M. Armstrong, was an influential Australian philosopher. He is best known for his work in metaphysics and the philosophy of mind. Armstrong's contributions to philosophy have had a significant impact on contemporary metaphysical debates, particularly concerning the nature of universals, states of affairs, and the mind-body problem.

Early Life and Education

David Malet Armstrong was born in Melbourne, Australia. He attended the University of Sydney, where he studied under the prominent philosopher John Anderson. Armstrong later pursued further studies at the University of Oxford, where he was influenced by the analytic philosophy tradition.

Academic Career

Armstrong held academic positions at several institutions, including the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, and the Australian National University. His work is characterized by a commitment to a realist ontology and a naturalistic approach to philosophical problems.

Philosophical Contributions

Metaphysics

Armstrong is perhaps best known for his defense of universals and his theory of states of affairs. He argued for a realist interpretation of universals, positing that they exist independently of the mind and are instantiated in particular objects. His work on states of affairs further developed this view, suggesting that the world is composed of particular objects and the properties and relations they instantiate.

Philosophy of Mind

In the philosophy of mind, Armstrong was a prominent advocate of materialism. He argued that mental states are identical to physical states of the brain, a view known as the identity theory of mind. This position was influential in the development of contemporary discussions on the mind-body problem and the nature of consciousness.

Laws of Nature

Armstrong also made significant contributions to the philosophy of science, particularly concerning the nature of laws of nature. He proposed a theory of laws as relations between universals, which contrasts with the regularity theory of laws.

Major Works

Some of Armstrong's most notable works include:

• Universals and Scientific Realism (1978)
• A Theory of Universals (1978)
• What is a Law of Nature? (1983)
• A Combinatorial Theory of Possibility (1989)
• Universals: An Opinionated Introduction (1989)
• A World of States of Affairs (1997)

Legacy

David Malet Armstrong's work continues to be a central point of reference in contemporary metaphysical debates. His rigorous approach to philosophical problems and his commitment to a realist ontology have left a lasting impact on the field.

Related Pages

• Metaphysics
• Philosophy of mind
• Universals
• Identity theory of mind
• Laws of nature
• John Anderson (philosopher)
• University of Sydney
• Australian National University