Alfred Edward Taylor was a British philosopher whose intellectual output spanned metaphysics, moral philosophy, and the interpretation of classical texts. Throughout his career, he functioned as a consistent defender of idealism during a period increasingly defined by anti-metaphysical sentiment and political instability, maintaining his influence through academic positions at several major institutions within the United Kingdom and Canada.
Academic Foundation and Early Career
Born in Oundle in 1869, Taylor pursued his education at New College, Oxford, where he achieved a First in Literae Humaniores in 1891. His early academic life included prize fellowships at Merton College, Oxford, followed by a transition into teaching. He worked as a lecturer at Owens College, Manchester, before moving abroad to serve as the professor of logic and metaphysics at McGill University in Montreal from 1903 until 1908.
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In 1903, Taylor published his first major book, Elements of Metaphysics. The work functioned as a systematic treatise covering ontology, cosmology, and rational psychology. While initially shaped by neo-Hegelianism and the school of British idealism, his views evolved over time. By the publication of his Gifford Lectures, The Faith of a Moralist, he had shifted toward a more mature, comprehensive idealist framework.
Scholarship on Classical Antiquity
Taylor remains noted for his contributions to the study of Plato. His work Varia Socratica, published in 1911, argued that the statements attributed to Socrates in Platonic dialogues accurately represented the ideas of the historical individual. This was followed by his magnum opus, Plato: The Man and His Work, and his A Commentary on Plato's Timaeus. Beyond Plato, he explored the thought of Aristotle and medieval scholasticism.
Later Years and Legacy
Following his tenure at McGill, Taylor taught at the University of St Andrews from 1908 to 1924, and subsequently served as the Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh from 1924 until 1941. He maintained his academic duties during the war years until 1944. An elected fellow of the British Academy, he was also a member of the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences and the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei.
Fast facts
- Born: 1869, Oundle
- Died: 1945, Edinburgh
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
- Alma Mater: New College, Oxford
- Notable Role: President of the Aristotelian Society (1928–1929)
- Professional Recognition: Fellow of the British Academy
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of Taylor's work on Hobbes?
In a 1938 article, Taylor proposed that the ethical theory of Thomas Hobbes was logically independent of his egoistic psychology and functioned as a strict deontology.
Did Taylor contribute to fields outside of academic philosophy?
He contributed significant articles to James Hastings' Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics and published works regarding the relationship between the Christian hope of immortality and philosophical thought.
Achievements
- Fellow of the British Academy
- Held posts at McGill University, University of Edinburgh and University of St Andrews
