Dr Colin Phillips

It is with great sadness that I bring news of the passing of Dr Colin Phillips.

Colin lectured in philosophy at the University of Essex from 1975 to 1984, when he took early retirement. He was awarded a first class honours degree in philosophy from Trinity College Cambridge and completed his PhD at Swansea. Colin’s  interests were in the philosophies of language, mind and mathematics.

He is best remembered at the bookshop as inaugural tutor of the ‘Philosophy Breakfast’, a pioneering course which commenced in 2003.

The Saturday morning sessions originated from a pub conversation during which we asked Colin if it would be possible to hold a discussion group making philosophical issues such as free will, justice, and God accessible and pertinent to people’s daily lives.

“Absolutely” stated Colin, and so ‘Philosophy Breakfast’ was born, a winning combination of stimulating debate in good company with a continental breakfast of great coffee and fresh croissants.

After a decade, Colin retired and passed the baton to Dr Nicholas Joll, and the ‘Philosophy Breakfast’ remains as popular as ever.

We are indebted to Colin for both the initial realization of our idea, and ten exciting years of lively group discussion of key philosophical questions.

Colin’s funeral will take place on 8 October at St Mary’s Church, Wivenhoe, 1pm. 

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