William Frankena facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Frankena
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William Frankena in 1949
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| Born | June 21, 1908 Manhattan, Montana, U.S.
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| Died | October 22, 1994 (aged 86) Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Calvin College University of Michigan Harvard University |
| Era | 20th-century philosophy |
| Region | Western philosophy |
| School | Analytic philosophy |
| Institutions | University of Michigan |
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Main interests
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Ethics |
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Notable ideas
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Definist fallacy Naturalistic fallacy |
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Influences
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William Klaas Frankena (born June 21, 1908 – died October 22, 1994) was an American moral philosopher. This means he studied and taught about what is right and wrong.
He worked at the University of Michigan for 41 years, from 1937 to 1978. For 14 of those years, he was the head of the philosophy department.
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Who Was William Frankena?
William Frankena was born in Manhattan, Montana. His parents came to the U.S. from Friesland, a part of the Netherlands. Because of this, William grew up speaking West Frisian and Dutch.
When he was young, his first name, Wiebe, was changed to William. His family and friends often called him Bill. Sadly, his mother passed away when he was only nine years old.
William's Education and Early Life
William Frankena graduated from Holland Christian High School in Holland, Michigan in 1926. His father, Nicholas A. Frankena, later became the mayor of Zeeland, Michigan. He also served as an elder in their church.
In 1930, William earned a bachelor's degree from Calvin College. He studied English and philosophy there. He then continued his studies at the University of Michigan, earning a master's degree in 1931.
He went on to get another master's degree and his Ph.D. (a high-level degree) from Harvard University in 1937. During his studies, he learned from famous thinkers like C. I. Lewis and Alfred North Whitehead. He also studied in England with G. E. Moore and C. D. Broad.
His Ph.D. research focused on Moore's work. William became well-known for his first published paper, "The Naturalistic Fallacy," which appeared in the journal Mind in 1939.
Family Life and Work Habits
William Frankena met his wife, Sadie, when they were both students at Calvin College. They were married for 44 years until Sadie's death in 1978. He loved watching birds as a hobby.
He had two sons, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. William often read and wrote his philosophy papers at home. He used a mechanical pencil and never used a typewriter or computer for his writing.
Contributions to Philosophy
William Frankena spent a lot of time helping his university and the field of philosophy. He was known for protecting academic freedom during a time called the McCarthy era. This was a period when people's beliefs were often questioned.
After this time, he was able to publish more books and articles. He held many important positions in the philosophy world. For example, he was president of a major group called the American Philosophical Association (APA).
Awards and Recognition
Frankena received many awards and fellowships for his work. These included a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Rockefeller Fellowship. In 1974, he gave special lectures called the Paul Carus Lectures on "Three Questions about Morality."
His old college, Calvin College, named him a Distinguished Alumnus in 1984. The University of Michigan also honored him with several awards for his excellent teaching and research.
Frankena's Lasting Impact
William Frankena made huge contributions to moral philosophy. He studied many areas, from understanding how we think about right and wrong (metaethics) to the history of ethical ideas. He also looked at how ethics applies to education and religion.
When he retired in 1978, the University Regents said he was known for knowing more about the history of ethics than anyone else in the world. A special issue of the journal The Monist in 1981 was dedicated to his philosophy.
The University of Michigan has created a special teaching position named after him and Carl Gustav Hempel. They also give out the William K. Frankena Prize each year to a student who shows excellence in philosophy.
