Jerry Fodor, the renowned philosopher and cognitive scientist, passed away on November 29, 2017. His death marked the end of an era in philosophy, as he was one of the most influential thinkers in the fields of mind and language. I had the honor of studying under Fodor at the CUNY Graduate Center in the late '80s, where his lectures on cognitive science shaped my understanding of the mind. He was a brilliant teacher, known for his rigorous thinking and dry wit, qualities that resonated deeply with his students.
Years later, I had the honor of interviewing him in his home across from Lincoln Center—a fitting setting for someone whose love of opera was as intense as his passion for philosophy. Our conversation focused on his bold and controversial work, What Darwin Got Wrong (2010), a critique of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution that stirred debates across academic circles. Fodor’s incisive critique, which questioned natural selection’s role in evolution, highlighted his courage to challenge even the most foundational scientific ideas. You can read the full interview here: Doubting Darwin: Jerry Fodor on What Darwin Got Wrong.
His work, particularly in philosophy of mind, language, and cognitive science, had a profound impact on the field. He introduced concepts such as the "modularity of the mind" and was an advocate for a scientific approach to understanding cognition. But beyond his academic achievements, Fodor’s enduring legacy lies in his ability to provoke thought and inspire intellectual debate.
Jerry Fodor was not just a philosopher, but a lover of life’s finer things, particularly opera, which he often enjoyed as passionately as he approached his academic work. His sharp insights, humor, and dedication to intellectual rigor will be greatly missed.
Fodor’s contributions to the study of mind and language will continue to resonate for years to come. His legacy is one of bold ideas, fierce independence, and a deep curiosity about the world
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