John Leslie Mackie, better known as J. L. Mackie, was born on August 25, 1917, in Australia. He was the son of Annie Burnett Duncan and Alexander Mackie. Mackie showed an early interest in philosophy and pursued his education at Oriel College. It was during his time at college that he developed a passion for moral skepticism and metaphysics, which would define his career as a philosopher.
During World War II, Mackie served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. His experiences during the war further shaped his views on morality and ethics. After the war, Mackie delved deeper into his philosophical studies and began to develop his own unique theories on the subject.
Mackie's most famous work is his book Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong, in which he argued that there are no objective values. This groundbreaking work challenged traditional views on morality and sparked intense debate in philosophical circles. In addition to Ethics, Mackie published five other books on various philosophical topics, solidifying his reputation as a major modern philosopher.
Despite his busy career as a philosopher, Mackie remained close to his family. His parents, Annie and Alexander, were a source of love and support throughout his life. Mackie often credited his family with inspiring his intellectual curiosity and encouraging his pursuit of knowledge.
Mackie's work continues to influence contemporary philosophical thought, particularly in the fields of moral skepticism and metaphysics. His challenging of traditional moral values and exploration of objective vs. subjective ethics have paved the way for new approaches to philosophical inquiry. Mackie's ideas have also been applied in other disciplines, such as evolutionary biology, as seen in Richard Dawkins' book The Selfish Gene.
J. L. Mackie passed away on December 12, 1981, leaving behind a rich legacy of philosophical thought and inquiry. His contributions to the field of philosophy continue to inspire new generations of thinkers and scholars.