Basil Mitchell (academic)
Encyclopedia
Basil George Mitchell, D.D.
, FBA (9 April 1917 – 23 June 2011) was a British philosopher and one-time Nolloth Professor of the Philosophy
of the Christian
Religion at the University of Oxford
. Mitchell argued strongly for the place of religious belief in public debate and was a prominent critic of liberal humanism.
Mitchell was educated at King Edward VI School, Southampton
and The Queen's College, Oxford
. After service in the Royal Navy, primarily in the Mediterranean, he became tutor in philosophy at Keble College, Oxford
in 1947 and moved to Oriel College, Oxford to take up his university chair in 1968.
He delivered the 1974-76 Gifford Lectures
at the University of Glasgow
, entitled Morality, Religious and Secular. Among his other important publications in the Philosophy of Law and the Philosophy of Religion
include the edited anthology "Faith and Logic" (1957), "Law, Morality and Religion in a Secular Society" (1966) which was a contribution to the debate over law and morality between H.L.A. Hart and Patrick Devlin
, "The Justification of Religious Belief" (1981), and his Sarum Lectures, "Faith and Criticism" (1992). There is also a collection of essays, with the title "How to Play Theological Ping-pong" (1993).
Further significant contributions include an essay on "The Christian Conscience" to the "Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity". In addition, he wrote an autobiographical essay, "War and Friendship", for the Kelly James Clarke anthology, "Philosophers Who Believe". His most recent publication is "An Engagement with Plato's Republic",(2003) co-written with his longstanding Oxford friend and fellow philosopher J.R. Lucas. Steven Holtzer and William Abraham
co-edited a festschrift
for him, "The Rationality of Religious Belief", which, amongst other contributions includes an appreciation of his thought and character written by Oliver O'Donovan
, and an essay on the eucharist written by Michael Dummett
. He has recently published his memoir "Looking Back: on Faith, Philosophy and Friends in Oxford" ISBN 9781841042039.
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
, FBA (9 April 1917 – 23 June 2011) was a British philosopher and one-time Nolloth Professor of the Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
of the Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
Religion at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
. Mitchell argued strongly for the place of religious belief in public debate and was a prominent critic of liberal humanism.
Mitchell was educated at King Edward VI School, Southampton
King Edward VI School, Southampton
King Edward VI School, often referred to as King Edward's, or simply KES, is a selective co-educational independent day School located in Southampton, United Kingdom and is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. It was founded in 1553, after the death of William Capon , who...
and The Queen's College, Oxford
The Queen's College, Oxford
The Queen's College, founded 1341, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Queen's is centrally situated on the High Street, and is renowned for its 18th-century architecture...
. After service in the Royal Navy, primarily in the Mediterranean, he became tutor in philosophy at Keble College, Oxford
Keble College, Oxford
Keble College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its main buildings are on Parks Road, opposite the University Museum and the University Parks. The college is bordered to the north by Keble Road, to the south by Museum Road, and to the west by Blackhall...
in 1947 and moved to Oriel College, Oxford to take up his university chair in 1968.
He delivered the 1974-76 Gifford Lectures
Gifford Lectures
The Gifford Lectures were established by the will of Adam Lord Gifford . They were established to "promote and diffuse the study of Natural Theology in the widest sense of the term — in other words, the knowledge of God." The term natural theology as used by Gifford means theology supported...
at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, entitled Morality, Religious and Secular. Among his other important publications in the Philosophy of Law and the Philosophy of Religion
Philosophy of religion
Philosophy of religion is a branch of philosophy concerned with questions regarding religion, including the nature and existence of God, the examination of religious experience, analysis of religious language and texts, and the relationship of religion and science...
include the edited anthology "Faith and Logic" (1957), "Law, Morality and Religion in a Secular Society" (1966) which was a contribution to the debate over law and morality between H.L.A. Hart and Patrick Devlin
Patrick Devlin, Baron Devlin
Patrick Arthur Devlin, Baron Devlin, PC was a British lawyer, judge and jurist. He wrote a report on Britain's involvement in Nyasaland in 1959...
, "The Justification of Religious Belief" (1981), and his Sarum Lectures, "Faith and Criticism" (1992). There is also a collection of essays, with the title "How to Play Theological Ping-pong" (1993).
Further significant contributions include an essay on "The Christian Conscience" to the "Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity". In addition, he wrote an autobiographical essay, "War and Friendship", for the Kelly James Clarke anthology, "Philosophers Who Believe". His most recent publication is "An Engagement with Plato's Republic",(2003) co-written with his longstanding Oxford friend and fellow philosopher J.R. Lucas. Steven Holtzer and William Abraham
William J. Abraham
William J. Abraham is a United Methodist pastor, theologian, and philosopher. A native of Ireland, he is currently the Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.Dr...
co-edited a festschrift
Festschrift
In academia, a Festschrift , is a book honoring a respected person, especially an academic, and presented during his or her lifetime. The term, borrowed from German, could be translated as celebration publication or celebratory writing...
for him, "The Rationality of Religious Belief", which, amongst other contributions includes an appreciation of his thought and character written by Oliver O'Donovan
Oliver O'Donovan
Oliver O'Donovan FBA FRSE is a scholar in the field of Christian ethics. He has made contributions to political theology, both contemporary and historical.-Life:...
, and an essay on the eucharist written by Michael Dummett
Michael Dummett
Sir Michael Anthony Eardley Dummett FBA D.Litt is a British philosopher. He was, until 1992, Wykeham Professor of Logic at the University of Oxford...
. He has recently published his memoir "Looking Back: on Faith, Philosophy and Friends in Oxford" ISBN 9781841042039.
External links
- Personal homepage at Oxford University (includes a curriculum vitae and complete list of publications).
- Profile on the British AcademyBritish AcademyThe British Academy is the United Kingdom's national body for the humanities and the social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.It receives an annual...
website. - Basil George Mitchell, biography and summary of his Morality, Religious and Secular on Gifford LecturesGifford LecturesThe Gifford Lectures were established by the will of Adam Lord Gifford . They were established to "promote and diffuse the study of Natural Theology in the widest sense of the term — in other words, the knowledge of God." The term natural theology as used by Gifford means theology supported...
website, by Dr Brannon Hancock - Obituary of Basil Mitchell, The Daily Telegraph, 14 July, 2011