Waynflete Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy

Waynflete Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy

The Waynflete Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy is a senior academic chair in the University of Oxford, established in 1947 through a bequest from the Waynflete Trust. It is one of the university's most prestigious appointments in philosophy, dedicated to the study and advancement of metaphysics and related philosophical disciplines. The professorship is traditionally associated with Magdalen College, Oxford, where the holder is typically elected to a professorial fellowship. Throughout its history, the position has been held by some of the most influential philosophers of the 20th and 21st centuries, contributing profoundly to debates in analytic philosophy, philosophy of mind, and logic.

History of the Professorship

The chair was founded following a substantial endowment from the Waynflete Trust, a charitable entity linked to the legacy of William of Waynflete, the founder of Magdalen College, Oxford. The trust's aim was to promote advanced study within the university, leading to the establishment of several Waynflete professorships across different fields. The creation of the Metaphysical Philosophy chair in the mid-20th century coincided with a period of significant revival and transformation in metaphysics, particularly within the Anglo-American philosophical tradition. Its inception provided a dedicated institutional home for rigorous philosophical inquiry at Oxford, which was then a central hub for the development of ordinary language philosophy and related movements. The professorship has since been integral to Oxford's global reputation as a leading center for philosophical research.

List of Waynflete Professors

Since its establishment, the professorship has been held by a distinguished lineage of philosophers. The inaugural holder was Gilbert Ryle, appointed in 1945 (before the official 1947 founding) and serving until 1968; his seminal work, *The Concept of Mind*, was published during his tenure. He was succeeded by Peter Strawson, who held the chair from 1968 to 1987 and is renowned for works like *Individuals: An Essay in Descriptive Metaphysics*. The third professor was Michael Dummett, a leading philosopher of language and mathematics, who served from 1979 to 1992. Following Dummett, Derek Parfit assumed the role in 1997, serving until his death in 2017; his influential books include *Reasons and Persons* and *On What Matters*. The current holder, appointed in 2020, is Timothy Williamson, a major figure in contemporary epistemology, logic, and metaphysics.

Scope and Focus of the Role

The professorship's remit encompasses the broad and fundamental domain of metaphysics, which investigates the nature of reality, existence, time, causation, and identity. Holders have interpreted this scope expansively, engaging deeply with interconnected areas such as the philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, epistemology, and philosophical logic. The role involves delivering formal lecture series, notably the prestigious annual John Locke Lectures, which several holders have been invited to present. A central duty is to conduct and publish original research that shapes philosophical discourse globally, often through engagement with major figures like W.V.O. Quine, David Lewis, and Saul Kripke. The professor also supervises graduate research and contributes to the intellectual life of both the Oxford Faculty of Philosophy and Magdalen College, Oxford.

Appointment and Tenure

Appointment to the chair is governed by the statutes of the University of Oxford and is typically for life, though retirement is customary by age 68. The selection process is conducted by an electoral board convened by the university's Vice-Chancellor, comprising representatives from the Faculty of Philosophy, Magdalen College, Oxford, and other senior academics. Candidates are internationally recognized scholars of the highest distinction, with a record of transformative contributions to metaphysical philosophy. Upon election, the professor is almost invariably granted a professorial fellowship at Magdalen College, Oxford, providing a direct link to one of the university's oldest and most prominent colleges. The position carries no mandatory teaching load, allowing the holder to focus on research, though most engage in graduate supervision and deliver university lectures.

Notable Works and Contributions

Holders of the chair have produced landmark texts that define modern philosophy. Gilbert Ryle's *The Concept of Mind* famously critiqued the Cartesian dualism of René Descartes, introducing the notion of a "category mistake". Peter Strawson's *Individuals: An Essay in Descriptive Metaphysics* distinguished between descriptive and revisionary metaphysics and revitalized interest in Kantian themes. Michael Dummett's work, such as *Frege: Philosophy of Language*, bridged philosophy of language and metaphysics, drawing on the ideas of Gottlob Frege and influencing debates on realism and anti-realism. Derek Parfit's *Reasons and Persons* revolutionized ethics and personal identity, arguing against the importance of personal identity over time. Current professor Timothy Williamson has advanced rigorous methodologies in *Vagueness* and *The Philosophy of Philosophy*, defending the status of philosophy as a source of objective knowledge.