Stuart Jeffries

The philosophical puzzles of the British Socrates

After vital work for British intelligence during the second world war, why did J.L. Austin devote the rest of his life to considering literally asinine questions?

J.L. Austin in his youth. [Courtesy of the family of J.L. Austin/ OUP] 
issue 17 June 2023
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  • J.L. Austin: Philosopher and D-Day Intelligence Officer

    M.W. Rowe

    OUP, pp. 660, £30

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It is the great good fortune of Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to be united by a common language, and a misfortune of even greater magnitude that they share that language with the United States. America is a very different country to the four Commonwealth realms sometimes brigaded together under the ugly acronym ‘Canzuk’.

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