Captured by Japanese forces in 1942, Richard Mervyn Hare experienced a period of involuntary labor that fundamentally shaped his subsequent philosophical focus. This experience fueled a career-long effort to construct ethical frameworks that could function as practical guides for navigating even the most dire circumstances, ultimately defining his academic tenure at the University of Oxford.
Academic Formation and Wartime Influence
Born in Backwell, Somerset, in 1919, Hare attended Rugby School before matriculating at Balliol College, Oxford, in 1937 to study classics. His academic trajectory was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War. Serving with the Royal Artillery, his capture at the fall of Singapore led to three years as a prisoner of war. This period of captivity prompted his earliest philosophical writings, which sought to establish a robust system of conduct for life under extreme conditions. He returned to Oxford following the war, where he remained a fixture for decades.
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Take the IQ test →Meta-ethical Theory: Universal Prescriptivism
Hare’s primary contribution to moral philosophy was the development of universal prescriptivism, detailed in works such as The Language of Morals (1952), Freedom and Reason (1963), and Moral Thinking (1981). He argued that moral language, including terms like 'good' or 'ought,' possesses two essential characteristics: universalisability and prescriptivity. He contended that if one asserts a moral obligation to perform a specific action, consistency requires one to act accordingly when capable. This framework led him to argue for a form of preference utilitarianism, prioritizing the maximization of preference satisfaction for all individuals.
Professional Contributions and Later Career
During his long tenure at Oxford, Hare served as the Wilde Lecturer in Natural Religion and later as White's Professor of Moral Philosophy from 1966 to 1983. He mentored numerous scholars, including Bernard Williams and Peter Singer, who later applied his methodologies to contemporary issues. After leaving Oxford, he served as a Graduate Research Professor of Philosophy at the University of Florida until 1994. His explorations extended into applied ethics, addressing topics such as abortion, slavery, and animal welfare, compiled in volumes like Essays on Bioethics.
Fast facts
- Born: 21 March 1919, Backwell, Somerset
- Died: 29 January 2002, Ewelme
- Education: Rugby School, Balliol College
- Key Theory: Universal prescriptivism
- Major Works: The Language of Morals, Freedom and Reason
- Academic Posts: University of Oxford, University of Florida
- Nationality: United Kingdom
- Membership: American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Questions readers ask
What is universal prescriptivism?
It is a meta-ethical theory proposed by Hare stating that moral judgments must be universalizable and prescriptive, meaning they must apply consistently to similar situations and compel the actor to act on their moral conclusions.
How did his war experience influence his philosophy?
His time as a prisoner of war convinced him that moral philosophy must provide a practical guide for living ethically in the harshest possible circumstances.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Florida
- Fields: ethics, philosophy and applied ethics
