A. E. Heath | |
|---|---|
| Born | Archie Edward Heath 6 August 1887 |
| Died | 18 May 1961(1961-05-18) (aged 73) |
| Occupation(s) | Philosopher; Professor of Philosophy |
| Employer | University College, Swansea |
| Organization | Rationalist Press AssociationConway Hall Ethical Society |
Archie Edward Heath (6 August 1887[1] – 18 May 1961)[2][3] was a philosopher and philosophy professor.[4][5] Alongside his contemporaryLudwig Wittgenstein, he significantly influenced the 'Swansea School of Philosophy'.[6][7] He was President of theRationalist Press Association from 1949 to 1954.[8]
Heath was a teacher atOundle School,[9] and subsequently science master atBedales School, where one of the students he encouraged wasRobin Hill, who went on to be a plant biochemist.[10] He was later a lecturer at the universities ofManchester andLiverpool.[9]
From 1925 to 1952,[9] Heath was Foundation Professor of Philosophy atUniversity College, Swansea.[10] While there, he was an influence on both American philosopherRush Rhees (who worked as an assistant professor alongside Heath)[11] and British philosopherPeter Winch.[12]D.Z. Phillips, a prominent member of the Swansea School said of Heath, in his biography of Winch, that he, “had an eye for philosophical talent”. His previous appointments had includedR. I. Aaron,A. C. Ewing,H. B. Acton,W. B. Gallie,Karl Britton and later also R. F. Holland[13]
A humanist, Heath was a Director of the Rationalist Press Association 1946 to 1958; its President from 1949 to 1954, and Vice President from 1955 until his death.[9] Heath was the editor ofScientific Thought in the Twentieth Century, published in 1951.[2] This contained contributions from high profile thinkers includingA. J. Ayer,Ronald Fisher,Peter Medawar, and SirHarold Spencer Jones.[2]Albert Einstein, wrote Rationalist Press Association's Board of Directors congratulating them on the volume.[2]
Heath wrote the introduction toSusan Stebbing'sIdeals and Illusions, published as part of theThinker's Library in 1948 (first published in 1941). He described Stebbing as someone who had "scared academic persons because she not only professed rationality but also lived it. She made criticism an act of grace."[14]
1931:Thinking Ahead: The Place of Reflection in Civilisation London: BBC
1936:How we behave: an introduction to psychology London: Longmans, Green
1936:Learn and live; the consumer's view of adult education London: Methuen
1951:Scientific thought in the twentieth century. An authoritative account of fifty year's progress in science London: Watts
Heath's funeral was conducted at Swansea byH. J. Blackham, who quoted Heath's words during the humanist ceremony: "The study of human beings, in all their complex doings between a sleep and a sleep, is an endless source of interest and puzzlement."[9]
