Background
Mac Leod, Andries Hugo Donald was born on August 10, 1891 in Lcdcberg.
Mac Leod, Andries Hugo Donald was born on August 10, 1891 in Lcdcberg.
After studies in Mathematics and Physics, Dr sc. at Ghent 1914. Also studied Philosophy at Uppsala University.
Taught Mathematics and Physics in Belgium. 1939-1977, residing in Sweden, where he devoted all his time to philosophical writing. 1960, Fil. Dr. honoris causa, Uppsala University.
Andries Mac Leod started as a mathematician. His first book was a comprehensive survey of non-Euclidean geometry. His mathematical training is evident in all the philosophical works, in the rigorous shaping of proofs and definitions. His philosophical method is well illustrated by the paper ‘What is a true assertion?’ (1947). In most of his works he deals with abstract problems related to fundamental concepts of our thinking, for example reality, identity, negation, ‘now’, act of consciousness and intentionality. Husserl's Logische Untersuchungen influenced Mac Leod. but he was even more influenced by Phalen. whom he deeply admired. The Nature and Content of an Act of Consciousness (1960) gives a subtle analysis of problems connected with Phalen’s thesis that an act of consciousness intending AB is not composed of an act intending A and an act intending B. There are interesting differences between Mac Leod and Phalen on certain important problems, for example concerning the relation of mental phenomena to time. Mac Leod developed a nominalist theory which has certain points in common with that of Nelson Goodman, although historically they are quite independent of each other.