Robert Fogelin (January 9, 1932 – July 9, 2016) was an American philosopher noted for his work on skepticism, the philosophy of language, and the interpretation of Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Early life and education
Born in New York City, Fogelin earned his Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University in 1952. He pursued graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, receiving a Ph.D. in philosophy in 1964 under the supervision of the analytic philosopher Alan Ross Anderson.
Academic career
Fogelin began teaching at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1963, where he remained for most of his professional life and was appointed professor of philosophy in 1975. He also held visiting positions at institutions such as the University of Oxford and the University of California, Irvine.
Philosophical contributions
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Skepticism – Fogelin’s most influential book, Skeptical Reasoning: A Critique of the Classical Tradition (1972), challenges traditional skeptical arguments by asserting that they rely on an unreasonable demand for certainty. He argued that ordinary language practices provide a more plausible foundation for knowledge claims.
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Wittgenstein interpretation – In works such as Wittgenstein on Thinking (1991) and various journal articles, Fogelin examined Wittgenstein’s later philosophy, emphasizing the practical, rule‑governed aspects of language use and the limits of philosophical theorizing.
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Epistemology and justification – Fogelin’s Knowledge and the Problem of Justification (2009) develops a contextualist approach, maintaining that justification depends on the standards of the relevant epistemic community rather than on an absolute, universal criterion.
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Philosophy of language – He contributed to debates on meaning, reference, and the role of ordinary language in philosophical analysis, often defending a modest, anti‑foundationalist stance.
Selected publications
- Skeptical Reasoning: A Critique of the Classical Tradition (1972)
- Wittgenstein on Thinking (1991)
- The Philosophical Dictionary (co‑edited, 1995)
- Knowledge and the Problem of Justification (2009)
Legacy
Fogelin is regarded as a leading figure in the American analytic tradition, particularly for reviving and reformulating skeptical arguments in a way that integrates insights from ordinary language philosophy. His work continues to be cited in contemporary discussions of epistemology, skepticism, and Wittgenstein scholarship.
Personal
Fogelin was married and had two children. He passed away on July 9, 2016, in Madison, Wisconsin.
