The Philosopher
Hywel Lewis
The face
The background
- Nationality:
- Welsh
- Schools:
- Christian
- Period:
- 20th century
The synopsis
Hywel David Lewis (21 May 1910 – 6 April 1992) was a Welsh theologian and philosopher. He was best known for his defence of dualism and personal survival. Lewis was born in Llandudno, Wales, and educated at Caernarfon grammar school, the University College of North Wales, Bangor (graduating with a first-class degree in philosophy in 1932), and Jesus College, Oxford (graduating with a BLitt in 1935).
He was then a lecturer in philosophy at Bangor, becoming professor in 1947. In 1955, he was appointed Professor of the History and Philosophy of Religion at the University of London, retiring in 1977.
His works included *Morals and the New Theology* (1947), *Morals and Revelation* (1951), *Our Experience of God* (1959), *The Elusive Mind* (1969), *The Self and Immortality* (1973), *Persons and Life after Death* (1978) and *The Elusive Self* (1982). He also published in Welsh. His interest in comparative religion led to his becoming founding editor of the journal *Religious Studies*, holding the post from 1964 to 1979. He edited the Muirhead Library of Philosophy from 1947 to 1978. He also served as president of the Aristotelian Society from 1962 to 1963, and as chairman of the council of the Royal Institute of Philosophy from 1965 to 1968.
He died on 6 April 1992 and was buried at St Tudno's church on the Great Orme.
The works
Morals and the New Theology
Morals and Revelation
Gwybod am Dduw
Our Experience of God
Freedom and History
Philosophy of Religion
World Religions: Meeting Points and Major Issues
Dreaming and Experience
The Elusive Mind
The Self and Immortality
Persons and Life after Death :Essays by Hywel D. Lewis and Some of His Critics
Logic, Ontology, and Action
Pwy yw Iesu Grist?
Jesus in the Faith of Christians
The Elusive Self
Freedom and Alienation: the Third Volume Based on The Gifford Lectures Delivered in the University of Edinburgh 1966-68