British philosopher and author (1898-1997), a central figure in the Inklings alongside C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Developed an original philosophy of consciousness evolution through the study of language history, drawing on Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophy. Lewis called him his wisest and best friend.
Argued that the history of language reveals a history of human consciousness, that earlier humans experienced participation with nature more directly, and that modernity entails a final participation yet to be achieved. His concept of ancient semantic unity influenced Lewis, Tolkien, and later thinkers.
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