John W. N. Watkins

John William Nevill Watkins (31 July 1924 – 26 July 1999) was an English philosopher and professor at the London School of Economics from 1966 until his retirement in 1989, and a prominent proponent of critical rationalism. Watkins was born in Woking, Surrey, England. In 1941, he joined the Royal Navy and served in destroyers, escorting Russian convoys and participating in actions during World War II, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. His interest in attending the LSE was sparked by reading Friedrich Hayek's "The Road to Serfdom." After graduating from Yale University, he returned to the LSE as an assistant lecturer in political science. He later shifted to the philosophy department, influenced by Karl Popper, and became a Reader in Philosophy. Watkins' most significant contribution to philosophy is his distinction between confirmable and influential metaphysics, arguing that untestable metaphysical propositions can influence the development of testable scientific theories. He also wrote influential papers on methodological individualism and historical explanation. His major works include "Hobbes's System of Ideas" (1965), "Science and Scepticism" (1984), and "Human Freedom after Darwin" (posthumously published in 1999). Watkins died of a heart attack while sailing in Salcombe, Devon, England.