Ken Taylor death, obituary: Beloved Professor Kenneth Taylor death happened December 2, 2019 unexpectedly at his home.
He was the Henry Waldgrave Stuart Professor of Philosophy at Stanford University and the director of Stanford’s Symbolic Systems Program.
Specializing in the Philosophy of Mind and the Philosophy of Language, Dr. Taylor was the author of three books and dozens of articles. His most recent book, Meaning Diminished: Toward Metaphysically Modest Semantics (Oxford University Press, 2019), presents a broad range of ideas surrounding semantic analysis.
Dr. Taylor also co-hosted a nationally syndicated radio show called Philosophy Talk.
Professor Ken Taylor death happened unexpectedly and suddenly, a day after he shared with friends on social media that he had nearly completed his next book, Referring to the World.
Krista Lawlor, chair of the Department of Philosophy at Stanford, confirmed the Prfessor’s sudden passing in a statement that read:
We are profoundly sad to announce that our colleague Ken Taylor died suddenly at his home yesterday evening.
Ken was a beloved and important presence in the Stanford Philosophy Department for many years. Plans for a memorial will be announced on the department website.
American Philosophical Association also shared a statement that read:
The APA is saddened to note the passing of Professor Kenneth A. Taylor (November 4, 1954–December 2, 2019).
Taylor served as president of the APA Pacific Division in 2016–2017 and was, until this past June, the chair of the APA Committee on Inclusiveness in the Profession.
Taylor was Henry Waldgrave Stuart Professor of Philosophy at Stanford University, where he had been on the faculty since 1995. He was also, with John Perry, co-founder and co-host of the Philosophy Talk radio show.
APA members can read Taylor’s presidential address, “Charting the Landscape of Reason,” on the APA website.
Please say a prayer for hi grieving family as you read the tributes below:
Over my past five years @Stanford, Ken Taylor positively influenced my studies in philosophy of mind and philosophy of language. I trust Ken’s thoughts and energy will live on through some of my phil work, his students’ work, and the greater network that interacted with him. RIP.
Over my past five years @Stanford, Ken Taylor positively influenced my studies in philosophy of mind and philosophy of language. I trust Ken's thoughts and energy will live on through some of my phil work, his students' work, and the greater network that interacted with him. RIP.
— Ari Qayumi (@AriQayumi) December 4, 2019
Gutted to learn of the passing of my friend, Ken Taylor, Henry Waldgrave Stuart Professor of Philosophy at Stanford and cohost of Philosophy Talk, where I got my start in radio. I owe no small debt to Ken, a magnanimous philosopher of mind and language
Gutted to learn of the passing of my friend, Ken Taylor, Henry Waldgrave Stuart Professor of Philosophy at Stanford and cohost of Philosophy Talk, where I got my start in radio. I owe no small debt to Ken, a magnanimous philosopher of mind and language https://t.co/mj1zCM3Sp1
— voicesbend (@voicesbend) December 4, 2019
Very sad to hear my wayback @stanford colleague Ken Taylor of the Philosophy Department, longtime @stanfordsymsys director, and cofounder of the popular “Philosophy Talk” radio show, has just passed away unexpectedly. His wisdom & humor will be missed
Very sad to hear my wayback @stanford colleague Ken Taylor of the Philosophy Department, longtime @stanfordsymsys director, and cofounder of the popular "Philosophy Talk" radio show, has just passed away unexpectedly. His wisdom & humor will be missed https://t.co/mIhxmQk01W
— Keith Devlin (@profkeithdevlin) December 3, 2019
Had the chance to interview Ken Taylor on the role of philosophy in the Symbolic Systems program at Stanford a few months ago. He felt passionately about the need for future technologists to be philosophically educated, as well as for philosophers to be in touch with science.
Had the chance to interview Ken Taylor on the role of philosophy in the Symbolic Systems program at Stanford a few months ago. He felt passionately about the need for future technologists to be philosophically educated, as well as for philosophers to be in touch with science. https://t.co/EBitcBuxM8
— Alexis Papazoglou (@newsphilosophy) December 3, 2019
May his soul rest in perfect peace.