Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

(1887–1971) British philosopher. Broad wrote extensively about a wide variety of traditional metaphysical topics, including existence, substance, qualities, relations, things, processes, events, change, time, space, causation, objects, mind, self and consciousness. His views were formed before the impact of ‘linguistic method’ made philosophers more cautious about regarding metaphysics as a search for general truths about reality. He did not engage in speculative system building, but in ‘critical philosophy’, analysing and clarifying fundamental concepts, drawing distinctions overlooked by common sense and science alike, and examining dispassionately the evidence for our basic beliefs. Few could match his ability to distinguish subtly different theses or his patience in marshalling arguments for and against each. Often he conceded that he was not sure which thesis won out, and, as one might expect of someone originally trained in the sciences, he hoped that empirical evidence would eventually provide answers. Scientific Thought (1923) is notable for his discussion of the analogies and disanalogies between space and time , as well as for a critique of the argument against the reality of time by his teacher and predecessor at Cambridge, Mc T aggart (1923, ch. 2). Broad Offered final views on this subject in volume 2, part 1, of Examination of McTaggart's Philosophy (1933–8) ... log in or subscribe to read full text