Born in 1945 in Luton, Stephen R. L. Clark is a British philosopher whose academic career spanned over four decades across institutions including the University of Glasgow and the University of Liverpool. He has authored twenty books, contributing extensively to ethics, the philosophy of religion, and animal rights, while maintaining a significant focus on the ancient philosophy of Plotinus.
Academic Formation and Career
Clark attended Nottingham High School before securing a scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford, where he studied from 1964 to 1968. He graduated with first-class honours in classics and subsequently held a fellowship at All Souls College until 1975, the same year he earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree. His career moved to Scotland in 1974, where he lectured at the University of Glasgow for nine years. In 1984, he joined the University of Liverpool as a professor of philosophy, a role he maintained until his retirement in 2009. His professional service included acting as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Applied Philosophy from 1990 to 2001.
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Take the IQ test →Contributions to Animal Ethics
A notable portion of Clark's research concerns the moral status of non-human animals. In his 1977 publication, The Moral Status of Animals, he explored the logical extension of liberal principles regarding unnecessary suffering and the implications for vegetarianism. He later examined the limits of animal morality in The Nature of the Beast (1982), positing that while animals exhibit certain behaviours, they lack the capacity for moral theorising. From 1998 to 2006, he served on the British government's Animal Procedures Committee, which advises on animal testing. He also participates as an advisory board member for the Christian Vegetarian Association.
Philosophical Focus on Plotinus
In more recent years, Clark has dedicated his scholarly output to the study of Plotinus. This work includes Plotinus: Myth, Metaphor and Philosophical Practice, released in 2016, and a translation with commentary of Ennead VI.9: On the Good or the One, published in 2020. His engagement with this period of ancient thought extended to the 2022 publication, Cities and Thrones and Powers: Towards a Plotinian Politics, further solidifying his focus on late antique philosophy and epistemology.
Lectures and External Appointments
Throughout his tenure, Clark delivered several invited lecture series at major universities. These included the 1981–1982 Gifford Lectures at the University of Glasgow, the Stanton Lectures at Cambridge between 1987 and 1989, and the Wilde Lectures at Oxford in 1990. He has also held visiting positions, including a tenure at Vanderbilt University and an Alan Richardson Fellowship at Durham University.
Fast facts
- Born: 1945, Luton
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
- Education: Balliol College, All Souls College
- Primary Field: Philosophy
- Notable Book: The Moral Status of Animals (1977)
- Professional Role: Professor Emeritus, University of Liverpool
- Spouse: Gillian Clark
- Languages: English
Questions readers ask
What is the primary focus of Stephen R. L. Clark's early philosophical work?
His early work primarily concentrated on animal ethics, specifically addressing the moral status of animals and the implications of animal testing.
Which historical philosopher has been a major subject of Clark's recent research?
His recent research has focused extensively on the ancient philosopher Plotinus, resulting in several books and translations published between 2016 and 2022.
Achievements
- Held posts at Durham University, University of Liverpool and University of Glasgow
