PHILOSOPHY COMMENDED TO POLITICIANS IN N.Z.

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28478, 7 January 1958, Page 6

PHILOSOPHY COMMENDED TO POLITICIANS IN N.Z.

New Zealand politicians would do well to study philosophy “for clear thinking,*' in the opinion of the professor of philosophy at Canterbury .University (Professor A. N Prior).

“Clear thinking is one of the most important things to be got from a university education; the technical details you can pick up on the job,” he said yesterday

when interviewed after his return from the recent philosophical conference in Canberra. Professor Prior said that philosophy was still an "extremely central part” of the curriculum at Oxford where there were 50 teachers in the subject. In Australia, students doing a variety of subjects were encouraged to take philosophy in addition. That was not the case in general in New Zealand. It used to be so in India, but it was not now. “However, a very good development at the University of Canterbury is a. small but increasing number of good science stu dents who do a year’s philosophy towards the end of their course,” he said. • Asian Philosophers Professor Prior said that at the Canberra conference officially known as an “East-West working party.” sponsored by U.N.E.S.C.O —most of the * Australians and New Zealanders expected the Asian philosophers to be dreamy mystics, but they were not like that at .all. One of them, Humayun Kabir, was Minister in charge of Civil Aviation in the Indian Government. “It seems a shame when professors of philosophy are made to do donkey jobs like being cabinet ministers, but on the other hand one envies the Indians for having such alert and intelligent politicians as Kabir,” said Professor'Prior. “He is an Oxford graduate, having been president of the Oxford Union in his time; and seriously, a living testimonial to a philosophical education as a preparation- for public life.

“People like him. I should say. are all th§ better politicians for knowing that there are more important things than politics; they have the practical clear-headed-ness that springs from a responsible detachment.” he said. Professor Prior said that one of Kabir’s worries was that too ixpny of the coming generation of Irfflian

public men were not getting a philosophical training. New Zealanders were more like Indians in this respect than, Australians. Subjects for Conference

The Canberra conference was attended by two Pakistan, five from India, two from New Zealand and seven from Australia and had as its general subject “The Good Life.” Detailed discussions were held on ethical conflicts and their solution, action and contemplation. The conquest of suffering, the notion of a moral law, ethics and international relations, the good life and citizenship, and the good life and religious faith. “It was a highly successful venture, for a variety of reasons,” Professor Prior said. “We kept down our numbers, we all spoke the same language and we kept at our discussions rather longer than is usual at philosophical conferences.” Professor Prior said that a New Zealand philosophical conference would be held in Christchurch in May. It would be organised by Mr J. M. Shorter, senior lecturer in philosophy at the University of Canterbury and would last about a week. “It is too much to hope that we will have the Indians but we would like some of the Australians to come,’* he said. Golf CHRISTCHURCH CLUB.—Bogey handicap: H. V. Rossi (8). 2 down; D Clark (6), 4 down;. A. J O’Cain (13). 5 down; D. McCormick (13). 7 down; A. M-Donald (14), 8 down HAGLEY CLUB.—Stableford: A M Tillson, 84. 15—69; H. W Walker. 88. 17—71; R. A. Nolan. 95. 24—71; R. E. Gillespie, t.. 14—73; E. R B Harding, 97, 24—73. KAIAPOI CLUB.—Single bogey: L Robson, all square; R. C. Stewart 1 down Stroke match: H. J. Moyna 88. 24—64: H. Aspinall, 84. 16—68: A Hirst. 82. 12—70. WAIMAIRI CLUB.—Stableford: C Le Roi, 34 points; K Clarke, 33. B T Miller. 33; H. R. Sim. 32. WAITIKIRI CLUB.—Stroke handicap. W R Hudson. 87. 20—67; J Barton. 78. 8—70; A. J Kernick. 80 9 71; W Angus, 77. 6—71: R J Ramsay. 73. 1—72; B Kennedy. 86. 14— 72 RUSSLEY CLUB.—Stableford—A grade: E. H. Richards (4), 38 pointsH Polglase (14), 36: K. D. Foxton (scr). 34; R. E. Jiggins (8), 34. B srade:5 rade: J. C. Wilkin (17), 32 points; _• Urlwln (20), 29; B. Morel <l5), 29; P. G. Greenwood (18), 28.