The publication of the 1976 masterwork Person and Object marked a deliberate departure from the prevailing analytic frameworks of the era, specifically contrasting with W. V. O. Quine’s Word and Object. Roderick Chisholm, a prominent figure in 20th-century logic and metaphysics, established a career that bridged complex theoretical investigations into human perception, free will, and the foundational nature of knowledge.
Academic Foundation and Military Service
Born in 1916 in Bristol County, Chisholm completed his undergraduate studies at Brown University in 1938. He proceeded to Harvard University, earning his Ph.D. in 1942 under the guidance of Clarence Irving Lewis and D. C. Williams. Following his graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army in July 1942. His service included basic training at Fort McClellan in Alabama, followed by roles administering psychological tests in Boston and New Haven. In 1943, he married Eleanor Parker.
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Chisholm’s body of work spans epistemology, deontology, and the philosophy of perception. His initial major contribution, Perceiving, was released in 1957. He articulated a foundationalist theory of knowledge, arguing that beliefs are justified if they are directly evident or supported by chains leading to such evidence. He challenged contemporary behaviorism and anti-realism, instead advocating for a metaphysical Platonism. His work on agent causation suggested that human free will remains incompatible with determinism, positioning him as a proponent of libertarianism.
Methodology and Legacy
Known for a precise, iterative approach to defining concepts, Chisholm frequently revised his arguments in response to counterexamples. This practice led peers to coin the term 'chisholming' to describe the habit of making minute adjustments to definitions. Beyond his own writings, such as the widely studied Theory of Knowledge and The First Person, he was a prolific educator. His students and colleagues included notable philosophers like Fred Feldman, Keith Lehrer, and Ernest Sosa. He served as the editor of Philosophy and Phenomenological Research from 1980 until 1986.
Mereology and Identity
In his discussions on persistence and identity, Chisholm explored mereological essentialism. He distinguished between 'strict' and 'loose' senses of identity regarding physical objects. In a strict sense, he argued that common objects, or 'vulgar objects,' cease to exist if even a single part is altered. He contended that our perception of such objects persisting over time is merely a loose linguistic convention, treating them as successions of related items rather than singular entities.
Fast facts
- Born: 1916, Bristol County
- Died: 1999, Providence
- Education: Harvard University
- Primary Employers: Brown University; University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Awards: Carus Lectures (1968)
- Professional Membership: American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Languages: English, German
Questions readers ask
What is the meaning of chisholming?
It refers to the process of making repeated, minor alterations to a definition to address potential counterexamples.
What were Chisholm's primary areas of study?
He focused on epistemology, metaphysics, free will, value theory, deontic logic, and the philosophy of perception.
Achievements
- Held posts at Brown University and University of Massachusetts Amherst
