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Tributes to philosopher who chose freedom
Ross Lydall28.10.09
Tributes have been paid to a London-based academic who was a world expert on philosophy and Buddhism.
Alexander Piatigorsky, 80, taught at the School of Oriental and African Studies and at Oxford university prior to his retirement. A critic of the Soviet era, he had come to London, via Israel, in 1974 after leaving Russia in search of freedom of speech and expression.
Mr Piatigorsky, who lived near King's Cross, worked up until his unexpected death on Sunday. He taught students privately, conducted philosophy circles and lectured across Russia and the Baltic states.
Born a Jew in Moscow, he spent much of the Second World War working in a factory in Siberia. He wrote a number of books, including a study of freemasonry and the first Russian-Tamil dictionary, and studied Buddhism and Hinduism because of the philosophical aspect to the religions.
Evgeny Lebedev, executive director of the Evening Standard, said: "It's very significant that he chose London as a place to live. He thought this was the place where one could express freedom of thought and freedom of speech."
Reader views (4)
Dr. Piatigorsky was a remarkably warm human being and a brilliant philosopher and thinker. Much of his thinking was freely designed with the intention of liberating thought itself from every sort of objectification, reification, and attachment. On one occasion, when I asked him a question regarding current events and applied philosophical methodology he answered: "My dear David, what use have I for the newspapers?" Yet, he was able to speak of current events and contemporary history with insight and authority. Like his colleague the late David B. Zilberman (1938-1977), he dealt with the great questions involving the liberation of all beings, the problem of suffering, and the destiny of humanity. More often than not in his careful study of the structure of consciousness he drew inspiration and insight from the most ancient of philosophical texts. Although he was not a political philosopher, his philosophy was political. Although he recognized that no utopian philosophy has ever changed the world for the better, his philosophical activity created a better world. I shall miss him, but I shall not weep for him.
- David W. Allen, Boston, MA., USA
"We are now living under that repressive Soviet society he left behind."
He would probably be the first to point out that this is nonsense, but since he's sadly no longer with us, can I point out that this is nonsense?
Mind you, the libel system could use reform.
- Tom, London, UK
The world is a richer, better place with the illumination of Alexander Piatigorsky's mind and teachings.
- T Cameron, Oxford
".. in search of freedom of speech and expression."
He must have been very saddened by the demise of those freedoms he came to our country to enjoy. We are now living under that repressive Soviet society he left behind.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
