Horace Romano Harré facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Horace Romano Harré
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Rom Harré in Tartu (2011)
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| Born | 18 December 1927 Manawatu, near Palmerston North, New Zealand
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| Died | 18 October 2019 (aged 91) |
| Alma mater | University of New Zealand (University of Auckland) |
| Era | Contemporary philosophy |
| Region | Western philosophy |
| School | Analytic philosophy Scientific realism |
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Main interests
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Philosophy of the social sciences Philosophy of physics |
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Notable ideas
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Ethogenics, positioning theory, referential realism |
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Influences
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Influenced
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Horace Romano Harré (born 18 December 1927 – died 18 October 2019), known widely as Rom Harré, was a very smart person from New Zealand. He was a philosopher and a psychologist. This means he spent his life thinking deeply about how the world works and how people think and behave.
Rom Harré was also a British citizen. He taught at many universities and wrote many books. His ideas helped us understand how science works and how people interact.
Contents
Rom Harré's Early Life and Studies
Rom Harré was born in a place called Manawatu in New Zealand in 1927. He went to the University of New Zealand, which is now known as the University of Auckland. There, he studied many different subjects. He learned about mathematics and science. This early learning helped him become a great thinker.
Becoming a Teacher
After his studies, Rom Harré became a teacher. He taught mathematics at King's College, Auckland in New Zealand. This was from 1948 to 1953. He also taught in Pakistan for a year. He worked at the University of the Punjab in Lahore. Teaching helped him share his knowledge with others.
His Work at Universities
Rom Harré spent most of his life teaching at universities. He worked at the London School of Economics. From 2009 to 2011, he was a director there. He led the Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science. This center studies how science and society are connected.
What Did Rom Harré Think About?
Rom Harré was interested in many big ideas. He wrote books about different types of philosophy. He thought about how we understand the world around us.
Philosophy of Science
One of his main interests was the philosophy of science. He wanted to know how scientists discover new things. He also thought about what makes a scientific idea true. He believed that science helps us understand what is real. This idea is called Scientific realism.
Understanding People and Society
Rom Harré also studied psychology and sociology. These subjects are about how people think and act. They also look at how people live together in groups. He was very interested in social psychology. This area studies how our thoughts, feelings, and actions are shaped by others.
Key Ideas: Ethogenics
One of Rom Harré's special ideas was called Ethogenics. This idea helps us understand why people do what they do. It looks at the rules and meanings people use in their everyday lives. It's like trying to figure out the "story" behind someone's actions.
Key Ideas: Positioning Theory
Another important idea from Rom Harré was positioning theory. This theory explains how people take on different "positions" in conversations. For example, in a classroom, a teacher has one position and a student has another. These positions affect how they talk and act.
Philosophy of Mathematics
Rom Harré also wrote about the philosophy of mathematics. He thought about the basic ideas behind numbers and shapes. He explored how mathematics helps us understand the world.
Why Was Rom Harré Important?
Rom Harré was important because he helped us think differently. He showed that science is not just about facts. It is also about how we understand those facts. He also helped us see that people's actions have deep meanings. His ideas are still studied by students today. He passed away in 2019, but his ideas live on.
