D.Z. Phillips, Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at the University of Wales, Swansea, died suddenly of a heart attack as he worked in the library at Swansea this week. He was 71. Phillips is perhaps best known as the leading Wittgensteinian philosopher of religion and as a prolific author. Among his many books are The concept of prayer, Wittgenstein and Religion, The Problem Of Evil And The Problem Of God, Death and immortality, and Philosophy's Cool Place. Phillips served as President of the British Society for the Philosophy of Religion, Director of the Rush Rhees Archives and the Peter Winch Archives, and editor of the journal Philosophical Investigations. Professor Phillips's funeral service will be held at a Welsh congregational chapel in Swansea:- Ebenezer Newydd, Henrietta Street, Swansea On 4th August at 12.30 Swansea University Press Release icWales Obituary
Obituary from the Society of Christian Philosophers listserv:
Professor D. Z. Phillips, who died on 25 July 2006, enjoyed a long and distinguished academic career spanning four decades at The University of Wales, Swansea, where he was Professor Emeritus, and Director of the Rush Rhees Archives. He also held the Danforth Chair in Philosophy of Religion at Claremont Graduate University, California. From 1959 until 1961, he was Minister of Fabian Bay Congregational Church, Swansea. Phillips began his academic career at Queen’s College, Dundee, in 1961, before joining the University College of North Wales, Bangor in 1963. He became a lecturer at Swansea in 1965, and a Professor of Philosophy in 1971. In 1982, he became Dean of the Faculty of Arts, until 1985, and he was Vice- Principal from 1989 until 1992. In 1996 he became the Rush Rhees Professor Emeritus in the Department of Philosophy, a position he held until his death. Phillips gave many endowed lectures during his academic career including the Cardinal Mercier Lectures (Leuven), Marett Lecture (Oxford), Riddell Lectures (Newcastle), McMartin Lectures (Ottawa), Hintz Lecture (Tucson), the Aquinas Lecture (Oxford), and Vonhoff Lectures (Groningen). His research interests were in the areas of philosophy of religion, ethics, philosophy and literature, and Wittgenstein. His best known works, from over 20 books, include: Faith and Philosophical Enquiry, The Concept of Prayer, Religion without Explanation, and Faith after Foundationalism. Professor Phillips leaves a wife, Monica, and three sons, Steffan, Rhys, and Aled, and four grandchildren, Ceri, Bethan, Siân and Emyr.
I really respect Phillips' views on Kierkegaard and Wittgenstein. And his Philosophy's Cool Place is my personal classic. Rest, D.Z., God's got your back now
It's worth adding to the above that D.Z. held the Danforth Chair of religion at Claremont Graduate School since 1992 (after it was vacated by John Hick). He split his time each year since then between Swansea and Southern California. His former students will sorely miss him. In addition to being a stimulating thinker and prolific author, he was a man of warm good humor and sharp wit.
Thanks Andrew! I only discovered Phillips work last year and his biography is still mostly closed to me. From the little I've read by those who knew him your last two lines ring to true.
"Love is its own reward" "In arguments, too many want to win, instead of convince" "The value of loving doesnt depend on the response" - he was an inspirational lecturer when I was at Swansea in the early 70's - so entertaining and his wisdom and "go the bloody hard way" approach have always stayed with me.
Ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem.
I knew him as a proud Welshman who loved the National eisteddfod of Wales every year,he and the Revd W.I Cynwil Williams,Cardiff would bring sunshine to the eisteddfod field.Gwas da i Grist,gorffwys mewn hedd.
I knew him as a proud Welshman who loved the National eisteddfod of Wales every year,he and the Revd W.I Cynwil Williams,Cardiff would bring sunshine to the eisteddfod field.Gwas da i Grist,gorffwys mewn hedd-this mean a Good Servant to Christ,rest in peace.
I was one of DZ's research students. A fine man. A great philosopher. An honour to have such an intellect to inspire and supervise my work.