Robert Bolton

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

At school, I was attracted by the sciences, especially physics and chemistry. Physics in particular, because of the way in which any natural phenomenon could be completely comprehended by a formula, subject only to very simple assumptions. That was classical physics, not the relativistic physics of the new order. The idea that truth may be relative and as complex as the phenomena to be explained seemed to me to be disappointing, and not liable to inspire one's best efforts. This turned me towards philosophy, which was a radical change of course, and it was strongly confirmed for me by my reading of the Socratic Dialogues and parts of the Republic.

Almost from the start of my study of philosophy, I realised that it depended on the validity of metaphysical thought. This position is compatible with common sense, as the majority of practical decisions are made on a metaphysical or a priori basis, if only because Empiricist reasons for making a decision are usually too prolonged and cumbersome. Platonism, with its idea of the Forms for all the realities we find instantiated in matter was for me the ideal metaphysical philosophy.

In my early years, the way into philosophy was from the arts curriculum, not that of the sciences. I had "missed the boat" from a university point of view, but did not feel defeated, and for about twenty years I studied philosophy in my spare time, regardless of what I did for a living. I adhered to the classical ideal, and avoided the scepticism-for-its-own-sake of modern philosophy, and eventually I could show Exeter University that I had got far enough to be able to take on post-graduate degrees.

Until the 1960's I was a member of the Church of England which I thought was too willing to accept the changes demanded by modern secularism. I then converted to the Catholic Church, and to the reality of sacred tradition. This gave me the confidence to write the kind of philosophy which I believe the modern world to be in need of.