Gilbert Ryle
Early Life and Education
Gilbert Ryle was born on 19 August 1900 in Brighton, England. He was the son of Reginald John Ryle, a general practitioner, and Catherine Mary Ryle. He was the second of his parents' ten children. Ryle was educated at Brighton College and later at Queen's College, Oxford, where he read Classics and Philosophy. He graduated with a first-class degree in 1924.
Academic Career
After graduating from Oxford, Ryle remained at the university as a lecturer in philosophy. He was appointed to a tutorial fellowship at Christ Church in 1925, a position he held until 1945. During this time, he published a number of influential papers on a range of philosophical topics, including philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, and epistemology.
In 1945, Ryle was elected Waynflete Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy at Oxford, a position he held until his retirement in 1968. As Waynflete Professor, Ryle was also a fellow of Magdalen College. During his tenure as Waynflete Professor, Ryle continued to publish extensively. His most famous work, "The Concept of Mind", was published in 1949.
The Concept of Mind
"The Concept of Mind" is widely regarded as Ryle's most significant contribution to philosophy. In this work, Ryle challenges the traditional Cartesian view of the mind-body problem, arguing instead for a form of philosophical behaviourism. He famously introduces the concept of "category mistake" to explain the confusion that arises from the Cartesian view. Ryle's arguments in "The Concept of Mind" have had a profound influence on subsequent philosophical thought, particularly in the fields of philosophy of mind and philosophy of language.
Later Life and Death
After retiring from Oxford in 1968, Ryle moved to the United States, where he held visiting professorships at a number of universities, including Harvard and Princeton. He continued to write and publish on a range of philosophical topics until his death on 6 October 1976.
Legacy
Ryle's work has had a significant impact on a range of philosophical disciplines, particularly philosophy of mind and philosophy of language. His concept of "category mistake" has become a standard part of the philosophical lexicon, and his arguments against Cartesian dualism have shaped subsequent debates in philosophy of mind. Despite the passage of time, Ryle's work continues to be widely read and discussed by philosophers today.