Biography of Robin Downie

Robin Downie is Emeritus Professor of Moral Philosophy and an Honorary Professorial Research Fellow in the Department of Philosophy. He previously held the Chair of Moral Philosophy.

Professor Downie was educated at the High School of Glasgow followed by the Universities of Glasgow and Oxford. Before moving into university teaching, he was a Russian interpreter in the Army. He has been a member of Government and professional committees concerned with ethical issues such as the BMA Ethics Committee and Government Committees on xenotransplantation and genetics. He has also been on the Council of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

In addition to teaching and writing on topics in moral and political philosophy and the philosophy of science, he was involved in teaching ethics to undergraduate and postgraduate medical, dental and nursing students and practitioners. Along with Sir Kenneth Calman, he began the movement now known as the 'medical humanities' - the use of literature and other arts and humanities in the education of health care professionals.

Summary

Robin Downie
Philosopher
Born 1933.
University Link: Alumnus, Professor
GU Degree: MA, 1955;
Occupation categories: philosophers
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Record last updated: 12th Aug 2008

University Connections

University Roles

• Alumnus
• Professor

Academic Posts

Professorships:

• Moral Philosophy

Buildings

• The Square, 7

Images

Robin Downie