C. Anthony Anderson
Encyclopedia
Curtis Anthony Anderson is a contemporary American philosopher, presently Professor of Philosophy at the University of California at Santa Barbara. He earned his Ph.D. in philosophy
from University of California at Los Angeles in 1977, where he worked closely with the ground-breaking logician Alonzo Church
. He also holds an M.S. in mathematics from the University of Houston
(1965), where he earned his undergraduate degree in physics
and mathematics
(1964).
Dr. Anderson's work over the years has focused primarily in the philosophy of logic
and the philosophy of language
, although he also works in such areas as the philosophy of religion
and has an interest in most areas of traditional philosophy. He is known for his high level of logical competence and for the precision and clarity of expression he applies in his work. (An example of his work that combines his skill at logic with his interest in the philosophy of religion appears in his paper on Gödel's ontological proof
.)
Prior to his professorship at U.C. Santa Barbara, Dr. Anderson held posts notably at the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis
, and the University of Texas at Austin
.
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
from University of California at Los Angeles in 1977, where he worked closely with the ground-breaking logician Alonzo Church
Alonzo Church
Alonzo Church was an American mathematician and logician who made major contributions to mathematical logic and the foundations of theoretical computer science. He is best known for the lambda calculus, Church–Turing thesis, Frege–Church ontology, and the Church–Rosser theorem.-Life:Alonzo Church...
. He also holds an M.S. in mathematics from the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
(1965), where he earned his undergraduate degree in physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
and mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
(1964).
Dr. Anderson's work over the years has focused primarily in the philosophy of logic
Philosophy of logic
Following the developments in Formal logic with symbolic logic in the late nineteenth century and mathematical logic in the twentieth, topics traditionally treated by logic not being part of formal logic have tended to be termed either philosophy of logic or philosophical logic if no longer simply...
and the philosophy of language
Philosophy of language
Philosophy of language is the reasoned inquiry into the nature, origins, and usage of language. As a topic, the philosophy of language for analytic philosophers is concerned with four central problems: the nature of meaning, language use, language cognition, and the relationship between language...
, although he also works in such areas as the philosophy of religion
Philosophy of religion
Philosophy of religion is a branch of philosophy concerned with questions regarding religion, including the nature and existence of God, the examination of religious experience, analysis of religious language and texts, and the relationship of religion and science...
and has an interest in most areas of traditional philosophy. He is known for his high level of logical competence and for the precision and clarity of expression he applies in his work. (An example of his work that combines his skill at logic with his interest in the philosophy of religion appears in his paper on Gödel's ontological proof
Gödel's ontological proof
Gödel's ontological proof is a formal argument for God's existence by the mathematician Kurt Gödel. It is in a line of development that goes back to Anselm of Canterbury. St. Anselm's ontological argument, in its most succinct form, is as follows: "God, by definition, is that for which no...
.)
Prior to his professorship at U.C. Santa Barbara, Dr. Anderson held posts notably at the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, and the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
.
Publications
- The Paradox of the Knower, 1983.
- Divine Omnipotence and Impossible Tasks: An Intensional Analysis, 1984.
- Some Difficulties Concerning Russellian Intensional Logic, 1986.
- Bealer's Quality and Concept, 1987.
- Propositional Attitudes: The Role of Content in Logic, Language, and Mind, 1990.
- Analyzing Analysis, 1993.