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| birth_date = 13 September 1903
| birth_date = 13 September 1903
| birth_place = Narsinghpur, India
| birth_place = Narsinghpur, India
| death_date = 28 May 1998

| death_place = Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
}}
| nationality = American
| alma_mater = Ohio Wesleyan University, Oxford University, Sorbonne, University of California, Berkeley
| era = 20th century
| region = Western philosophy
| school_tradition = Analytic philosophy, Philosophy of art
| main_interests = Philosophy of art, language, religion
| notable_ideas = Definitions of vagueness, the distinction between vagueness of symbols and senses
| spouse = Louise Hafliger
| children = David Virgil Aldrich
| notable_works = ''Philosophy of Art'', ''The Body of a Person''
| awards = L.H.D. from Ohio Wesleyan University and Kenyon College}}
'''Virgil Charles Aldrich''' (13 September 1903 in [[Narsinghpur]], [[British India|India]] – 28 May 1998 in [[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]]), was an American [[philosopher of art]], [[Philosophy of language|language]], and [[Philosophy of religion|religion]].
'''Virgil Charles Aldrich''' (13 September 1903 in [[Narsinghpur]], [[British India|India]] – 28 May 1998 in [[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]]), was an American [[philosopher of art]], [[Philosophy of language|language]], and [[Philosophy of religion|religion]].


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
The son of Floyd Clement Aldrich and his wife Ann Hanley, Virgil Aldrich earned his [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree at [[Ohio Wesleyan University]] in 1925. He studied at [[Oxford University]] in 1927 and then went on to earn a ''[[Diplôme d'Études Supérieures]] de Philosophie'' at the [[University of Paris|Sorbonne]] in 1928 before completing his [[Ph.D.]] at the [[University of California Berkeley]] in 1931. He married Louise Hafliger on 3 September 1927 and they had one son, David Virgil Aldrich.
The son of Floyd Clement Aldrich and his wife Ann Hanley, Virgil Aldrich earned his [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree at [[Ohio Wesleyan University]] in 1925. He studied at [[Oxford University]] in 1927 and then went on to earn a ''[[Diplôme d'Études Supérieures]] de Philosophie'' at the [[University of Paris|Sorbonne]] in 1928 before completing his [[Ph.D.]] at the [[University of California Berkeley]] in 1931. He married Louise Hafliger on 3 September 1927, and they had one son, David Virgil Aldrich.


==Academic career==
==Academic career==
Aldrich's first academic appointment was his appointment as an [[professor|instructor]] in [[philosophy]] at [[Rice University]] in 1931 and Sterling Fellow at [[Yale University]] in 1931-32. Promoted to [[assistant professor]], he remained at Rice until 1942, when he was appointed visiting professor at [[Columbia University]] from 1942 to 1946. Appointed [[professor]] of philosophy at [[Kenyon College]] in 1946, he remained there until 1965, serving as visiting professor at [[Brown University]] in 1962-63. In 1965, he became professor of philosophy at the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]], where he remained until his retirement in 1972. On his retirement, he moved to [[Salt Lake City, Utah]], where he became an adjunct professor at the [[University of Utah]].
Aldrich's first academic appointment was his appointment as an [[professor|instructor]] in [[philosophy]] at [[Rice University]] in 1931 and Sterling Fellow at [[Yale University]] in 1931–1932. Promoted to [[assistant professor]], he remained at Rice until 1942, when he was appointed visiting professor at [[Columbia University]] from 1942 to 1946. Appointed [[professor]] of philosophy at [[Kenyon College]] in 1946, he remained there until 1965, serving as a visiting professor at [[Brown University]] in 1962–1963. In 1965, he became a professor of philosophy at the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]], where he remained until his retirement in 1972. On his retirement, he moved to [[Salt Lake City, Utah]], where he became an adjunct professor at the [[University of Utah]].


Aldrich served as Director of the [[Kyoto American Studies Institute]] in [[Japan]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hull |first1=Richard T. |title=Biography: Virgil Charles Aldrich |url=https://www.pdcnet.org/apapa/content/apapa_2013_0455_0457_475?file_type=pdf |website=The American Philosophical Association Centennial Series |access-date=8 August 2023 |pages=455–457 |language=en |doi=10.5840/apapa2013475 |date=1 January 2013}}</ref> and for short periods was visiting professor at [[Harvard University]], the [[University of Michigan]], and [[the University of Texas]]. He served as trustee and president of the [[American Society of Aesthetics]]<ref>{{cite journal |title=Front Matter |journal=The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism |date=1971 |volume=29 |issue=3 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/428972 |access-date=8 August 2023 |issn=0021-8529}}</ref> and president of [[American Philosophical Association]].
Aldrich served as Director of the [[Kyoto American Studies Institute]] in [[Japan]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hull |first1=Richard T. |title=Biography: Virgil Charles Aldrich |url=https://www.pdcnet.org/apapa/content/apapa_2013_0455_0457_475?file_type=pdf |website=The American Philosophical Association Centennial Series |series=American Philosophical Association Centennial Series |access-date=8 August 2023 |pages=455–457 |language=en |doi=10.5840/apapa2013475 |date=1 January 2013}}</ref> and for short periods was visiting professor at [[Harvard University]], the [[University of Michigan]], and [[the University of Texas]]. He served as trustee and president of the [[American Society of Aesthetics]]<ref>{{cite journal |title=Front Matter |journal=The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism |date=1971 |volume=29 |issue=3 |jstor=428972 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/428972 |access-date=8 August 2023 |issn=0021-8529}}</ref> and president of [[American Philosophical Association]].


=="Some Meanings of Vague" (1937)==
=="Some Meanings of Vague" (1937)==


In his article "Some Meanings of Vague",<ref>''Analysis'', Vol. 4, No. 6 (Aug. 1937), pp. 89–95, Published by: Blackwell Publishing on behalf of The Analysis Committee.</ref> Aldrich puts forth a series of definitions of [[vagueness|vague]] objects and [[sensum]], and then argues that any empiricist must account for vague sensum every bit as much as clear sensum, without skirting the issue. He takes there to be many kinds of vagueness—importantly, there is vagueness of symbols and vagueness of senses. Here symbols are anything which is used to refer, including verbal words, signs, pictures, and more. Vagueness regarding symbols can be the same as the vagueness which regards the senses. There can, additionally, be vagueness of the practices surrounding the use of the symbol to refer. These, he suggests, should be avoided.
In his article "Some Meanings of Vague",<ref>''Analysis'', Vol. 4, No. 6 (Aug. 1937), pp. 89–95, Published by: Blackwell Publishing on behalf of The Analysis Committee.</ref> Aldrich puts forth a series of definitions of [[vagueness|vague]] objects and [[sensum]] and then argues that any empiricist must account for vague sensum every bit as much as clear sensum, without skirting the issue. He takes there to be many kinds of vagueness—importantly, there is the vagueness of symbols and vagueness of senses. Here, symbols are anything that is used to refer to, including verbal words, signs, pictures, and more. Vagueness regarding symbols can be the same as the vagueness which regards the senses. There can, additionally, be vagueness of the practices surrounding the use of the symbol to refer. These, he suggests, should be avoided.


==Honors==
==Honors==
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[[Category:Philosophers of art]]
[[Category:American philosophers of art]]
[[Category:People from Narsinghpur]]
[[Category:People from Narsinghpur]]
[[Category:University of Michigan faculty]]
[[Category:University of Michigan faculty]]

Latest revision as of 18:12, 24 November 2024

Virgil Charles Aldrich
Born13 September 1903
Narsinghpur, India
Died28 May 1998
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
NationalityAmerican
Alma materOhio Wesleyan University, Oxford University, Sorbonne, University of California, Berkeley
Notable workPhilosophy of Art, The Body of a Person
SpouseLouise Hafliger
ChildrenDavid Virgil Aldrich
AwardsL.H.D. from Ohio Wesleyan University and Kenyon College
Era20th century
RegionWestern philosophy
SchoolAnalytic philosophy, Philosophy of art
Main interests
Philosophy of art, language, religion
Notable ideas
Definitions of vagueness, the distinction between vagueness of symbols and senses

Virgil Charles Aldrich (13 September 1903 in Narsinghpur, India – 28 May 1998 in Salt Lake City, Utah), was an American philosopher of art, language, and religion.

Early life and education

[edit]

The son of Floyd Clement Aldrich and his wife Ann Hanley, Virgil Aldrich earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Ohio Wesleyan University in 1925. He studied at Oxford University in 1927 and then went on to earn a Diplôme d'Études Supérieures de Philosophie at the Sorbonne in 1928 before completing his Ph.D. at the University of California Berkeley in 1931. He married Louise Hafliger on 3 September 1927, and they had one son, David Virgil Aldrich.

Academic career

[edit]

Aldrich's first academic appointment was his appointment as an instructor in philosophy at Rice University in 1931 and Sterling Fellow at Yale University in 1931–1932. Promoted to assistant professor, he remained at Rice until 1942, when he was appointed visiting professor at Columbia University from 1942 to 1946. Appointed professor of philosophy at Kenyon College in 1946, he remained there until 1965, serving as a visiting professor at Brown University in 1962–1963. In 1965, he became a professor of philosophy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he remained until his retirement in 1972. On his retirement, he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he became an adjunct professor at the University of Utah.

Aldrich served as Director of the Kyoto American Studies Institute in Japan[1] and for short periods was visiting professor at Harvard University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Texas. He served as trustee and president of the American Society of Aesthetics[2] and president of American Philosophical Association.

"Some Meanings of Vague" (1937)

[edit]

In his article "Some Meanings of Vague",[3] Aldrich puts forth a series of definitions of vague objects and sensum and then argues that any empiricist must account for vague sensum every bit as much as clear sensum, without skirting the issue. He takes there to be many kinds of vagueness—importantly, there is the vagueness of symbols and vagueness of senses. Here, symbols are anything that is used to refer to, including verbal words, signs, pictures, and more. Vagueness regarding symbols can be the same as the vagueness which regards the senses. There can, additionally, be vagueness of the practices surrounding the use of the symbol to refer. These, he suggests, should be avoided.

Honors

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Writings

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Books:

  • Language and philosophy ([Kyoto]: Kyoto American Studies Seminar, 1955)
  • Philosophy of Art, (Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice-Hall, 1963)
  • The Body of a Person, (Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1988)
  • My Century, Nantucket, Massachusetts, EditAndPublishYourBook.com/Lulu, 20 November 2010
  • Philosophical Reflections, Nantucket, Massachusetts, EditAndPublishYourBook.com/Lulu,

11 December 2010

Contributions:

  • Readings in Philosophical Analysis (1951)
  • Reflections on Art (1958)
  • Religious Experience and Truth (1961)
  • Faith and the Philosophers (1962)
  • World Perspectives on Philosophy (1967)
  • "Design, Composition, and Symbol", The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism (Vol. 27, No. 4, Summer, 1969), pp. 379–388.
  • Studies in philosophy: a symposium on Gilbert Ryle, Edited by Konstantin Kolenda. (Houston, Tex. : William Marsh Rice University, 1972)
  • "Pictures and Persons" in Review of Metaphysics (1975)
  • "Description and expression: Physicalism restricted," Inquiry vol. 20 (1977), pp. 149–164.
  • Falling in love with wisdom: American philosophers talk about their calling, edited by David D. Karnos, Robert G. Shoemaker. (New York : Oxford University Press, 1993

Festschrift

  • Body, mind, and method: essays in honor of Virgil C. Aldrich edited by Donald F. Gustafson and Bangs L. Tapscott. (Dordrecht and Boston: D. Reidel Pub. Co., 1979)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Hull, Richard T. (1 January 2013). "Biography: Virgil Charles Aldrich". The American Philosophical Association Centennial Series. American Philosophical Association Centennial Series: 455–457. doi:10.5840/apapa2013475. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Front Matter". The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism. 29 (3). 1971. ISSN 0021-8529. JSTOR 428972. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  3. ^ Analysis, Vol. 4, No. 6 (Aug. 1937), pp. 89–95, Published by: Blackwell Publishing on behalf of The Analysis Committee.

Sources

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