Philosophy Professor Honored After 50 Years at UC Berkeley

On Monday, philosophy professor John Searle was honored for his 50 years of teaching at UC Berkeley.

As of July 1, Searle will be the only non-emeritus professor on campus who has taught for that long.

"I stayed here because I love Berkeley and I love teaching Berkeley students," he said. "I got a lot of offers from other places, but this is the best."

Colleagues cite Searle as a leader in his field.

R. Jay Wallace, philosophy department chair, called him "one of the most influential people" in his discipline.

"He is an unusually dedicated and successful teacher of Berkeley students, someone whose passionate interest in the most fundamental philosophical questions has inspired generations of undergraduates and graduate students alike," Wallace said.

In his time at UC Berkeley, Searle has been awarded the Faculty Research Lectureship and the Distinguished Teaching Award. He also received the National Humanities Medal from former President George W. Bush.

Senior Anthony Abbey, who is majoring in philosophy, said he felt that taking a class with Searle was like learning philosophy from a wise grandfather.

"He fashions his philosophical ideas into captivating stories by weaving in his own life experiences-sometimes leaving you laughing, sometimes leaving you arguing, but always leaving you satisfied," he said.

Many said Searle has played an integral role in UC Berkeley's history. Wallace said that in addition to shaping the philosophy department during several decades of service, Searle has also participated in larger events on campus.

Searle was a key figure during the Free Speech Movement at UC Berkeley in the 1960s, Wallace said. He was the first tenured professor to become involved, influencing his student Mario Savio-one of the movement's major activists.

Searle is the author of more than 200 publications, including books that have been translated into more than twenty languages. His major titles include "Speech Acts," "Expression and Meaning," "The Campus War" and "Intentionality."

His major works focus on central problems in the philosophy of mind and language.

When asked where he sees himself in coming years, Searle said he does not anticipate any changes to his current routine.

"My future plans are to keep doing what I like best-teaching and writing at Berkeley with plenty of international travel," he said.

Tags: PHILOSPHY