Jack Smart interviewed by Stein Helgeby [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 4765177
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Smart, J. J. C. (John Jamieson Carswell), 1920-2012, interviewee
- Online Access:
- National Library of Australia digitised item
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 2010
- 2 sound files (125 min.)
- Technical Details:
- Mode of access: Online.
- Summary:
-
Jack Smart speaks about his family background; his early interest in astronomy, physics and mathematics; his parents influences; his interest in Indian philosophy; his family life; his early desire to be a mathematician; his education at King's Choir School; attitude to religion in the family, being Scottish Presbyterian background and becoming Episcopalian; studying honours mathematics and natural philosophy at Glasgow; starting University studies just before the start of Second World War; his enlistment in Royal Signals; his interest in radio; being posted to India and Burma; his Wartime experiences; returning to University of Glasgow after the War; C. A. Campbell; David Cousin; Gilbert Ryle; G. A. Paul at Oxford; D. A. T. Gasking; his interest in Wittgensteinian and Rylean views of philosophy; Anthony Flew; moving to University of Adelaide; his early impressions of Adelaide and the philosophical scene in Australia.
Smart talks about his relationship with other philosophers; C. B. Martin; C. F. Presley; realism in philosophy; moving to La Trobe, then to Australian National University (ANU); relationship between science and philosophy; Ernest Rutherford; other studies; David Hume; his metaphysical position; Susan Stebbing; Tarski's view of truth; David Lewis; the definition of Act utilitarianism; his desires and beliefs; R. M. Hare; his Platonism about mathematics; Atheism, its role in his work; his earlier religious views; Ian Hinckfuss; Adolf Grunbaum; Minkowski space; political and social views; the future of philosophy; progress in philosophy; the recent article for The Rutherford Review (NZ) 'From Physics to Metaphysics and Back Again'; physics and bad philosophy; the important people in his life; his current work and luck in life; his overall work in philosophy; coming to Australia; introducing recent thought such as Wittgenstein's Tractatus and Ryle.
- Notes:
- Recorded on 7 January 2010 at Wheelers Hill, Vic.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (6 p.) and corrected transcript (typescript, 41 leaves)
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Philosophers
- Other authors/contributors:
- Helgeby, Stein, 1962-, interviewer
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2080 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2010
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