Morris Raphael Cohen
Morris Raphael Cohen – Life, Thought, and Notable Quotes
Explore the life and ideas of Morris Raphael Cohen (1880–1947), the Russian-born American philosopher, jurist, and educator who blended pragmatism, logical positivism, and linguistic analysis into his doctrine of “objective relativism.” Learn his biography, major works, philosophical approach, and memorable quotes.
Introduction
Morris Raphael Cohen was a deeply influential thinker in 20th-century American philosophy, especially at the intersection of logic, law, and liberalism. He was not only a philosopher in the abstract sense but also a public intellectual, teacher, critic, and legal scholar. Though he began life in what was then the Russian Empire, he emigrated to the U.S. as a youth and became a major figure in shaping philosophical discourse in North America.
Cohen sought to unite strands of pragmatism, logical positivism, and linguistic analysis, all while contributing to legal philosophy and to the defense of liberal democracy during turbulent times. His doctrine of objective relativism was an attempt to reconcile realism and relativism, asserting that truths are relative to conceptual schemes, yet constrained by logical coherence and experience.
In the sections that follow, we’ll trace his life, major intellectual contributions, style and legacy, and offer some of his most resonant quotes.
Early Life, Education & Career
Origins and Emigration
Morris Raphael Cohen was born 25 July 1880 in Minsk, then part of the Russian Empire (now Belarus). United States, settling in New York.
Interestingly, Cohen later recounted that—since the precise date of his birth was uncertain—he adopted July 25 as his official birthday, partly associated with his immigration date.
He completed early schooling in the U.S. and then attended City College of New York (CCNY). Harvard University, where he studied under influential thinkers such as Josiah Royce, William James, and Hugo Münsterberg. Ph.D. at Harvard with a dissertation on Kant’s doctrine of duty and happiness.
Academic Appointments & Influence
Cohen’s career as a teacher, scholar, and public intellectual was broad and multifaceted:
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From 1912 to 1938, he served as a professor of philosophy at CCNY, where he became known for his erudition, wit, and capacity to critique systems.
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He also taught law at City College and later, from 1938 to 1941, at the University of Chicago.
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In addition, he lectured or gave courses in philosophy and law at institutions such as Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Stanford, and Yale.
Cohen was widely admired by students and colleagues alike. His reputation extended beyond pedagogy: he was celebrated for being able to “tear things apart” in critique, yet offering positive insight of his own.
Cohen passed away on January 28, 1947, in Washington, D.C.
Philosophical Ideas & Contributions
Pragmatism, Logical Positivism & Objective Relativism
Cohen’s intellectual signature lies in his attempt to synthesize and mediate between pragmatism, logical positivism, and a form of relativism consistent with rational constraint. objective relativism: truths are relative to conceptual schemes or frameworks, but not arbitrary — they must satisfy logical consistency, empirical constraints, and coherence across overlapping schemes.
In that sense, his philosophy resisted both stark relativism (anything goes) and dogmatic absolutism. Instead, he held that reason, evidence, and rational critique can guide the evolution of conceptual systems.
He also emphasized linguistic analysis — attention to meaning, concepts, and how language structures philosophical problems — as part of his method.
Legal Philosophy & Liberalism
Cohen was not merely a theorist; he engaged in legal and social philosophy as well. His work in judicial philosophy considered law as a practice of decisions rather than monolithic system. He sometimes described law as “a formless mass of isolated decisions.”
Politically and socially, Cohen was a staunch defender of liberal democracy, liberalism, and free inquiry. He opposed both fascism and communism, defended political freedom, and criticized doctrinaire thinking.
He also edited and introduced Charles Sanders Peirce’s essays (in Chance, Love, and Logic) in 1923, helping promote pragmatist legacy.
Logic, Inquiry & Method
Cohen contributed to logic and epistemology as well. He believed that philosophical progress depends on questioning the plausible, accepted, and self-evident propositions, challenging them and testing alternatives.
He warned against the genetic fallacy (judging ideas solely by origin rather than merits), and contributed to clarifications in scientific method, explanation, and the role of hypotheses.
Cohen’s method combined critical analysis, historical awareness, and an openness to revising conceptual frameworks in light of evidence and rational critique.
Personality, Style & Legacy
Cohen was famed for his erudition and wit. His lectures and debates were known to be intellectually rigorous, sharp, and often playful. He was not merely a destroyer of systems; he offered constructive alternatives and engaged with real social and political problems.
His influence lives on through his students (for instance, Ernest Nagel) and through the mid-century American philosophical scene. Though not as widely known today outside philosophy and legal theory circles, Cohen’s effort to fuse realism and relativism, his defense of liberal values, and his methodological critique of dogmatism remain relevant.
In recognition, the City College Library was dedicated in his name in 1953.
Notable Quotes
Below are several representative quotations by Morris Raphael Cohen, illustrating his thinking on philosophy, liberalism, law, and critique:
“Liberalism is an attitude rather than a set of dogmas – an attitude that insists upon questioning all plausible and self-evident propositions, seeking not to reject them but to find out what evidence there is to support them rather than their possible alternatives.”
“If religion cannot restrain evil, it cannot claim effective power for good.”
“Law must be viewed as a formless mass of isolated decisions.”
“Conservatism clings to what has been established, fearing that, once we begin to question the beliefs that we have inherited, all the values of life will be destroyed.”
“The business of the philosopher is well done if he succeeds in raising genuine doubt.”
“Lastly, literature and philosophy both allow past idols to be resurrected with a frequency which would be truly distressing to a sober scientist.”
“It has generally been assumed that of two opposing systems of philosophy … one only can be true … and so philosophers have been hopelessly divided …”
These quotes display his commitment to critique, liberalism, method, and the tension between tradition and inquiry.
Lessons from Cohen’s Life & Thought
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Critical Attitude over Dogma
Cohen’s liberalism was not about fixed doctrines but an attitude of questioning, re-examining, and openness to alternatives—a mindset valuable in any intellectual or political domain. -
Mediation Between Extremes
His philosophy demonstrates how one can mediate between relativism and absolutism: retaining respect for logical coherence and empirical constraints while acknowledging conceptual relativity. -
Integration of Philosophy and Public Life
He did not confine himself to ivory towers; he engaged with law, politics, education, and public liberalism. Intellectuals can—and perhaps should—connect theory with civic concerns. -
Methodological Humility
By emphasizing doubt, critique, and openness to revision, Cohen reminds us that even sturdy philosophical systems must remain open to change. -
Value of Broad Learning & Erudition
His capacious knowledge across philosophy, law, logic, and history strengthened his critical edge. Specialization need not preclude wide reading and depth.
Conclusion
Morris Raphael Cohen was a remarkable figure who enriched philosophical, legal, and liberal discourse in the 20th century. His attempt to bring together pragmatism, logical analysis, and liberal values, anchored in the doctrine of objective relativism, remains a compelling intellectual legacy. Though less widely quoted today, his work continues to speak to issues of conceptual pluralism, method, and the role of critique in intellectual life.