Michael John LOCKWOOD

He was a Star. Encouraging one, to go with one's own views, in philosophy; to think creatively; as he himself, was doing. I honour him, as a keen, original thinker, and key member, of our community.

What a loss. I knew him when he first came to Rewley House and he encouraged me to become President of the Philosophy Society there. He was a sparkling lecturer and conversationalist, and always very encouraging about my own tame efforts. I had heard rumours about his ill health and am very glad that he now has his own Wikipedia page.

I was abroad on 10 July 2018 when Michael's obituary was published in The Times and didn't see it, or I would have posted something sooner. Not having seen him for many years, after dementia took its toll, and thinking about him this week, while re-reading an article on clinical trials that he had published in the Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society (1983;57:207), I found this website. Michael was a brilliant philosopher, at home equally in medical philosophy, the philosophy of science, including quantum mechanics, and the ideas of classical philosophers. I will never forget how his eyes would light up in anticipation of stimulating conversation when I or any of his other colleagues in Green College, Oxford, came to sit with him at the lunch table. Reading his work reminds me of just how stimulating those conversations could be.

I was a boarder at Plymouth college with Michael. He was two years older than me. I remember he had time for us younger boys. I am sorry I never looked Michael up in later life.

Michael Lockwood gave me my first encounter with academic philosophy. When I arrived in Oxford I immediately enrolled in his evening and weekend courses, and went on to gain the Undergraduate Certificate in Philosophy that he pioneered at Rewley House. Michael's philosophical thinking is a constant reference point in my own work. It was a privilege to study under him, and a sorrow to read of his passing.