William Leslie Davidson

William Leslie Davidson
Born	1848 (1848) Old Rayne, Scotland
Died	1929 (aged 80–81) Aberdeen, Scotland
Alma mater	Aberdeen University

William Leslie Davidson (1848–1929) was a Scottish philosopher.[1]

Early life

Davidson was born and raised in Old Rayne, a village in the north-east of Scotland, near Aberdeen.

He was educated at Aberdeen University before embarking on a career and life dedicated to philosophy.[2]

During the First World War, Davidson fought as a colonel in the Royal Field Artillery.

Death

Davidson died in Aberdeen in 1929.[1]

Quotes

He is known for coining the following quote from his book, Recent Theistic Discussion:

“A mind not wholly wishful to reach the truth, or to rest it in or obey it when found, is to that extent a mind impervious to truth an incapable of unbiased belief.”

Selected publications

• The Logic of Definition: Explained and Applied, Longmans, London, 1885.
• Theism As Grounded in Human Nature: Historically and Critically Handled. Being the Burnett Lectures for 1892, Longmans, Green, London, 1893.
• The Stoic Creed, T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1907.[3]
• Leading and Important English Words: Explained and Exemplified. An Aid to Teaching, Longmans, London, 1909.
• Political Thought in England: The Utilitarians from Bentham to Mill, Williams and Norgate, London, 1915. (Home University Library of Modern Knowledge)
• Recent Theistic Discussion, T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1921.

References

1. William Leslie Davidson. Oxford Reference. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
2. "OVERVIEW: William Leslie Davidson". Oxford Reference.
3. "Review of The Stoic Creed by William L. Davidson". The Athenaeum (4159): 37. 13 July 1907.