# Antony Flew

> British analytic and evidentialist philosopher (1923-2010)

**Wikidata**: [Q451451](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q451451)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antony_Flew)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/antony-flew

## Summary
Antony Flew was a British analytic and evidentialist philosopher who lived from 1923 to 2010. He was a prominent figure in the philosophy of religion and served as a professor at various universities including the University of Reading and York University. Flew was known for his work on the existence of God and his eventual shift from atheism to deism later in life.

## Biography
- Born: February 11, 1923
- Nationality: British
- Education: Educated at St John's College, University of Oxford
- Known for: Philosophy of religion, analytic philosophy, evidentialism
- Employer(s): University of Reading, York University, University of Keele, SOAS, University of London, University of Aberdeen
- Field(s): Philosophy, philosophy of religion, analytic philosophy

## Contributions
Antony Flew made significant contributions to the philosophy of religion and analytic philosophy throughout his career. He was a member of the Mont Pelerin Society, an international neoliberal organization founded in 1947. Flew authored numerous books and papers on the philosophy of religion, including "God and Philosophy" (1966) and "The Presumption of Atheism" (1976). His work on the presumption of atheism argued that the burden of proof lies with those who claim that God exists. Flew's later work, particularly "There is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind" (2007), documented his shift from atheism to deism based on scientific evidence and philosophical arguments.

## FAQs
**What was Antony Flew's philosophical position?**
Antony Flew was initially known as a prominent atheist philosopher who argued for the presumption of atheism, placing the burden of proof on those claiming God's existence. Later in life, he shifted to deism, believing in a creator God based on scientific and philosophical evidence.

**Where did Antony Flew teach?**
Antony Flew taught at several universities throughout his career, including the University of Reading, York University, University of Keele, SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) at the University of London, and the University of Aberdeen.

**What are Antony Flew's most notable works?**
Flew's most notable works include "God and Philosophy" (1966), "The Presumption of Atheism" (1976), and "There is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind" (2007). These works explore the philosophy of religion and his evolving views on the existence of God.

**What was Antony Flew's role in the Mont Pelerin Society?**
Antony Flew was a member of the Mont Pelerin Society, an international organization founded in 1947 that promotes neoliberal ideas and free-market economics. His membership reflected his interest in classical liberal philosophy and its intersection with religious and philosophical thought.

## Why They Matter
Antony Flew was one of the most influential atheist philosophers of the 20th century, whose work on the presumption of atheism shaped debates about the existence of God for decades. His rigorous analytical approach to religious claims and his insistence on evidence-based reasoning made him a central figure in evidentialist philosophy. Flew's later conversion to deism, documented in his final book, sparked widespread discussion in both philosophical and religious communities about the relationship between science, philosophy, and belief. His career demonstrates the importance of intellectual honesty and the willingness to change one's views in light of new evidence, making him a model for philosophical inquiry.

## Notable For
- Being one of the most prominent atheist philosophers of the 20th century
- Developing the "presumption of atheism" argument
- His dramatic shift from atheism to deism late in life
- Authoring influential works on the philosophy of religion
- Membership in the Mont Pelerin Society
- Teaching at multiple prestigious British universities
- His rigorous evidentialist approach to philosophical and religious questions

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Antony Flew was born on February 11, 1923, in Britain. He received his education at St John's College, University of Oxford, one of the most prestigious colleges at Oxford. This education at Oxford, founded in 1096, provided Flew with a strong foundation in classical philosophy and analytical methods that would characterize his later work.

### Academic Career
Flew's academic career spanned several decades and multiple institutions. He taught at the University of Reading, founded in 1892, where he contributed to the institution's reputation in philosophy and related fields. He also held positions at York University in Toronto, Canada, founded in 1959, bringing his expertise to the North American academic scene. His career included teaching at the University of Keele, established in 1949 in Staffordshire, United Kingdom, as well as at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) at the University of London, founded in 1916. Additionally, Flew taught at the University of Aberdeen, one of Scotland's ancient universities, founded in 1495.

### Philosophical Contributions
Flew's primary contributions were in the philosophy of religion and analytic philosophy. He was known for his evidentialist approach, insisting that religious claims should be subject to the same standards of evidence and logical analysis as other claims. His work on the presumption of atheism argued that the burden of proof lies with those who claim that God exists, rather than with atheists to disprove God's existence. This position became influential in philosophical debates about religion throughout the latter half of the 20th century.

### Major Publications
Among Flew's most significant publications was "God and Philosophy" (1966), which examined arguments for and against the existence of God from a philosophical perspective. "The Presumption of Atheism" (1976) further developed his evidentialist approach to religious claims. His final major work, "There is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind" (2007), documented his philosophical journey from atheism to deism, citing scientific discoveries and philosophical arguments that led to his change in position.

### Philosophical Evolution
One of the most notable aspects of Flew's career was his philosophical evolution. For most of his life, he was considered one of the world's leading atheist philosophers, arguing forcefully against religious belief. However, in his later years, Flew announced that he had changed his position to deism, believing in a creator God based on what he saw as compelling scientific and philosophical evidence. This shift generated significant discussion in both philosophical and religious communities about the nature of belief and the relationship between science and religion.

### Professional Affiliations
Flew was a member of the Mont Pelerin Society, an international organization founded in 1947 that promotes neoliberal ideas and free-market economics. This membership reflected his interest in classical liberal philosophy and its intersection with religious and philosophical thought. The society, which includes many Nobel laureates and prominent intellectuals, provided Flew with a forum to discuss the broader implications of his philosophical work.

### Legacy and Influence
Antony Flew's legacy in philosophy is substantial. His evidentialist approach to religious claims influenced generations of philosophers and continues to shape debates about the rationality of religious belief. His work on the presumption of atheism remains a central topic in philosophy of religion courses worldwide. Flew's intellectual honesty in changing his views based on evidence, documented in his final book, serves as an example of philosophical integrity. His career demonstrates the dynamic nature of philosophical inquiry and the importance of remaining open to changing one's views in light of new evidence.

### Areas of Specialization
Throughout his career, Flew specialized in several key areas: the philosophy of religion, focusing particularly on arguments about the existence of God; analytic philosophy, applying rigorous logical analysis to philosophical problems; and evidentialism, the view that beliefs should be proportioned to evidence. His work often intersected with discussions in epistemology, ethics, and the philosophy of science, making him a versatile and influential figure in multiple philosophical domains.

### Recognition and Impact
While specific awards are not detailed in the source material, Flew's impact on philosophy is evident in the continued citation and discussion of his work in academic philosophy. His books remain in print and are widely used in university courses on the philosophy of religion. The controversy and discussion surrounding his change from atheism to deism further amplified his influence, bringing philosophical debates about religion to a broader audience beyond academic circles.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. [Source](http://mobile.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/arts/17flew.html?_r=0&referer=https://ar.wikipedia.org/)
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. CiNii Research
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
8. SNAC
9. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/arts/17flew.html)
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Open Library
12. [Source](http://www.deism.com/atheisttodeist.htm)
13. Quora
14. LIBRIS. 2011
15. Catalogo of the National Library of India