From Dave Needham

I first read Findlay's book on Hegel at Northern Illinois University about 1971.  Soon I read his "Cave" books too.  About 1972, there was an American Philosophical Association conference in Milwaukee and Donald Verene, David Lovekin, myself and some others went to enjoy it.  Findlay delivered a brilliant paper on Hegel's Absolute which we loved.  In counterpoint, another speaker delivered a paper with an different view.  The second speaker's paper was boring, and my friends and I were quietly chatting and paying little attention.  Suddenly I elbowed my friends and drew their attention back to the front stage. 

While the second speaker was delivering the boring speech, Findlay was folding paper napkins into rabbits and making them hop around on the table.  It was a perfect commentary on the paper being delivered.  We could hardly keep from laughing out loud.

Later, at the afternoon reception the crowd around Findlay was about four people deep, mostly university students, all eager to ask questions and hear what Findlay was saying.  I could see that I wasn't able to get anywhere near him, but then I noticed his glass was empty.  I asked the waiter what Findlay was drinking, got a gin and tonic from the bar,  squeezed to the front of the pack and handed him the drink.  Clearly he appreciated my action over the questions from the other people.

Findlay was a great philosopher and obviously a great person.  I wish I could have taken his classes.  Hopefully, his ideas and books will be appreciated by more philosophy students and writers.


Thank you for the website,
Dave Needham
Centennial, CO