William Leslie Davidson

William Leslie Davidson (1848–1929) was a Scottish philosopher.

Early life
Davidson was born and raised in Old Rayne, a village in the north-east of Scotland, near Aberdeen.

He was educated at Aberdeen University before embarking on a career and life dedicated to philosophy.

During the First World War, Davidson fought as a colonel in the Royal Field Artillery.

Death
Davidson died in Aberdeen in 1929.

Quotes
He is known for coining the following quote from his book, Recent Theistic Discussion:

“A mind not wholly wishful to reach the truth, or to rest it in or obey it when found, is to that extent a mind impervious to truth an incapable of unbiased belief.”

Selected publications

 * The Logic of Definition: Explained and Applied, Longmans, London, 1885.
 * Theism As Grounded in Human Nature: Historically and Critically Handled. Being the Burnett Lectures for 1892, Longmans, Green, London, 1893.
 * The Stoic Creed, T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1907.
 * Leading and Important English Words: Explained and Exemplified. An Aid to Teaching, Longmans, London, 1909.
 * Political Thought in England: The Utilitarians from Bentham to Mill, Williams and Norgate, London, 1915. (Home University Library of Modern Knowledge)
 * Recent Theistic Discussion, T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1921.