Laurence Goldstein was one of the country’s leading philosophers, working mainly in the area of paradoxes, the philosophy of logic and language and the philosophy of Wittgenstein. He also worked with philosophers, linguists and cognitive scientists to try to show that investigating how people achieve brevity in conversation is a fascinating topic and provides a great route to understanding the working of the brain. Laurence’s many publications on paradox included ‘Fibonacci, Yablo and the Cassationist Approach to Paradox’, and ‘To Let: Unsuccessful Stipulation, Bad Proof and Paradox’. His work on Wittgenstein included a book, Clear and Queer Thinking: Wittgenstein’s Development and His Relevance to Modern Thought, and a play (1999) that mischievously re-created Wittgenstein’s PhD viva. He also co-authored a text, Logic, on the philosophy of logic and was advisory editor for the 2005 Monist issue on the Philosophy of Humor. He designed apparatus for teaching syllogistic to blind students and, using similar principles, wrote a series of texts for teaching English to Chinese children.
Laurence joined the University of Kent in 2005, and was promoted to Professor in 2006. He served for six years as Head of the School of European Culture & Languages (SECL), and was also Acting Dean of the Faculty of Humanities for a term. Before coming to Kent, he spent many years at the University of Hong Kong, as well as spending time teaching at the Universities of Auckland, Cape Town, Glasgow, St. Andrews, Swansea, and Washington. Laurence was much admired as Head of SECL, and was a constant source of encouragement to his colleagues. He was also, as many would attest, a ready wit and a lover of jokes.
Students will remember him for his enthusiastic teaching in the philosophy of language and paradoxes, which he delivered with his characteristic sense of humour. The world is a much poorer place for his passing. He is sorely missed.
A year on from his death the University of Kent is honouring Laurence’s memory with a conference delivered by his friends and colleagues, on the philosophical themes that occupied his academic life, through his teaching and writing.
A JustGiving page in memory of Laurence, in aid of the Brain Tumour Charity, is still up and running if anyone would like to make a donation and add to the many warm tributes to Laurence.