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Norman Malcolm

American philosopher

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Norman Malcolm was an American philosopher known for his work in analytic philosophy, particularly in the areas of philosophy of mind and language. He was a student of Ludwig Wittgenstein and was influenced by his ideas, especially regarding the nature of mental concepts and the problem of other minds. Malcolm argued against the traditional argument from analogy for belief in other minds, suggesting that understanding the criteria for attributing thoughts and feelings makes the argument unnecessary. His work often involved analyzing everyday language to clarify philosophical problems, focusing on concepts like knowledge, certainty, and memory. Malcolm's approach contributed to the development of philosophical psychology within the analytic tradition.12

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