Background
Lewis, Hywell David was born on May 21, 1910 in Llandudno, Wales.
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Hywell David Lewis
Edit Profilephilosopher of religion Philosopher of mind
Education
University College of North Wales, Bangor, and Jesus College, Oxford.
Career
1947-1955, Professor of Philosophy, University College of North Wales, Bangor. 1955-1977, Professor of the History and Philosophy of Religion, King’s College, London.
Views
H. D. Lewis's interests in philosophy reflect, in some measure, his religious upbringing in Nort Wales. When he was at Oxford he came under the influence of some of the remaining idealists. №* reading of Green had interested him in socia1311 political philosophy but he later became especial y concerned with questions to do with the nature o the mind and immortality. He admitted that there was much to be said for describing him as an idealist but would not adopt the lab® because of the strong realist influence he acknow edged of philosophers such as Moore and Coo Wilson. Lewis’s commitment to a metaphysical con ception of philosophy isolated him to some sophy. As editor of the Muirhead Library 0 Philosophy he encouraged alternative views, particularly in his Clarity Is Not Enough (19® '■ If he thought that clarity was not enough- ^ nonetheless thought it important. Lewis is o known for his defence of a dualist view of min and body in opposition to the more prevalent behaviourist views advocated by Ryle and others. He defended with some success a belief in personal survival against the belief common amongst analytical philosophers that immortality was wconceivable. He acquired a high international reputation, particularly in India and America, where he received and took up many invitations to lecture and accept other honours.
