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John N. Gray

ジョン・エヌ・グレイ

John N. Gray

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1948-04-17 （South Shields, County Durham, England）
Nationality
British
Languages
English
Religion
Atheism
Residence History
South Shields (birthplace) → Oxford (study and posts) → London (resident; LSE) → United States (visiting posts at Harvard, Yale, Tulane, etc.)

Career

Occupations
political philosopher, author, academic, book reviewer
Active Years
1970-
Affiliations
London School of Economics (Professor), University of Oxford (lecturer; fellow), University of Essex (lecturer in political theory), World.minds (member)
Memberships
World.minds (member)
Influenced By
Isaiah Berlin, Friedrich Hayek, James Lovelock (influence via Gaia theory)
Influenced
Will Self, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, John Banville

Education

Exeter College, Oxford
Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) / Philosophy / Politics
Degree: BA; MPhil; DPhil
Period: 1960s–1970s
Country: United Kingdom
Studied PPE at Oxford; holds BA, MPhil and DPhil

Awards

Asteroid 91199 Johngray named in his honour
2008
Organization: Minor Planet Center
Result: 命名

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

False Dawn: The Delusions of Global Capitalism

1998 political thought / critique of global capitalism

A critique of global capitalism arguing that free-market globalisation is unstable and that Enlightenment project ideas of progress are flawed.

critique of global capitalismcritique of Enlightenmentpolitical economy

Straw Dogs: Thoughts on Humans and Other Animals

2002 philosophy / cultural criticism

Attacks humanism and argues that volition and moral autonomy are illusions; challenges assumptions about human exceptionalism.

critique of humanismbiological limitsanti-utopianism

Black Mass: Apocalyptic Religion and the Death of Utopia

2007 political philosophy / cultural criticism

Examines utopian thinking and the apocalyptic impulses within political movements, critiquing Enlightenment progress narratives.

critique of utopianismreligion and politicscritique of Enlightenment

The Silence of Animals: On Progress and Other Modern Myths

2013 philosophy / essays

Collection of essays questioning myths of progress and reconsidering human limits and the relation to other animals.

critique of myths of progresshuman-animal relationsphilosophical pessimism

Bibliography

  • The New Leviathans: Thoughts After Liberalism (2023)
  • Feline Philosophy: Cats and the Meaning of Life (2021)
  • Seven Types of Atheism (2018)
  • The Soul of the Marionette: A Short Inquiry into Human Freedom (2016)
  • The Silence of Animals (2013)
  • The Immortalization Commission (2011)
  • Gray's Anatomy: Selected Writings (2009)
  • Black Mass (2007)
  • Heresies: Against Progress and Other Illusions (2004)
  • Al Qaeda and What It Means to Be Modern (2003)
  • Straw Dogs (2002)
  • False Dawn (1998)
  • Hayek on Liberty (1984)

Adaptations

  • Marx Reloaded (documentary, appearance)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
analytical and clear prosepolemic and essayisticphilosophical pessimism in argumentation
Recurring Motifs
critique of humanismdenial of progress mythscritique of utopianismemphasis on biological limits

Legacy

John Gray is a controversial and influential contemporary political philosopher known for his critique of humanism and beliefs in progress. His work has provoked both praise and criticism across academic and public discourse.

In Popular Culture

  • Asteroid 91199 Johngray named in his honour (naming published 2008)
  • Appearance in the documentary 'Marx Reloaded' (2011)
  • Multiple broadcasts/appearances on BBC Radio 4's 'A Point of View'

Quotes

  • Humans ... cannot destroy the Earth, but they can easily wreck the environment that sustains them.
    Source: Straw Dogs (quotation) (2002)

Trivia

  • An asteroid (91199 Johngray) was named after him (naming published in 2008).
  • He has given multiple series of broadcasts on BBC Radio 4's 'A Point of View'.
  • 'Straw Dogs' received wide praise from some critics and sharp criticism from others.