John Laird (17 May 1887 – 5 August 1946) was a philosopher, in the school of New British Realism, who later turned to metaphysical idealism.
John Laird was born at Durris, Kincardineshire, a parish adjacent to the birthplace of famous Scottish philosopher Thomas Reid. He was the son and Margaret Laird (née Steward) and D. M. W. Laird, a Church of Scotland minister, (himself the son of John Laird, a minister and Free Church moderator).
He attended the grammar school of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, where in 1908 he graduated with a first class M.A. degree in philosophy. He spent a brief interval at Heidelberg before entering Trinity College, Cambridge, as a Scholar. He graduated from Cambridge with a B.A.,1st class in both parts of the Moral Sciences tripos. (He received his Cambridge M.A. in 1920.) He was an Assistant Lecturer at the University of St. Andrews in 1911 and took up a Professorship of Philosophy at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1912. In the following year he returned to the United Kingdom as Professor of Logic and Metaphysics at Queen's University, Belfast (1913–24). In 1924 he was appointed as Regius Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Aberdeen, a position which he held until his death. He was Mills Lecturer, University of California, 1923-4 and Gifford Lecturer, Glasgow University, 1939-40.
In 1913 he met Helen Ritchie. They married in 1919 and had one son, who died in childhood. After the move to Aberdeen the Lairds
lived in Powis Lodge, Old Aberdeen.
Laird was president of the Aristotelian Society from 1929 to 1930. He was a prolific writer and public speaker.
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Some of their strengths
John Laird has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Intuitive, Diplomatic, Perseverent, Artistic, Smart, Kind, and Intelligent.
Strong and Diligent
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, John Laird is someone who is a strong, diligent, and trustworthy person who approaches life with honesty and perseverance, but who is also physical, sensual, and artistic. A person who really cares about helping others make the most of what they have.
Passionate and Intense
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know John Laird well know them as someone who can be passionate, proud, and intense, like the sun or a blazing fire.
Courteous and Easygoing
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe John Laird as someone who is polite, modest, and diplomatic.
A person who tends to be socially popular, who loves intellectual or creative activities, who has a talent for communicating with and understanding the needs of others, and who seems to have a knack for getting recognized for their efforts.
Emotionally Intelligent and Intuitive
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, John Laird is someone who tends to have strong emotional intelligence and intuition, and who can be a catalyst of change for others.
They are also someone who is reflective, mysterious, and purposeful, who enjoys quiet and solo work, and who thrives in positions where there is no need to report to someone else.
Patient and Compassionate
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, John Laird tends to be someone who approaches life with grace and compassion, and who has a powerful and commanding personality. Who can be analytical, patient, and deliberate, avoiding risks and seeking out stability instead.
Some of John Laird's challenges
While John Laird has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, John Laird can be Stubborn, Indecisive, Materialistic, Idle, Unrealistic, Hesitant, and Narcissistic.
Stubborn and Idle
One of John Laird's key challenges is that they are someone who can be seen as stubborn and, at times, lazy.
John Laird must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive.
Indecisive and Materialistic
John Laird is someone who can be indecisive, indulgent, and materialistic, who can have difficulty focusing on a single career or profession, have difficulty following orders or respecting authority, and who can suffer from "analysis paralysis".
Materialistic and Aggressive
Finally, John Laird also can be materialistic, emotional, aggressive, stubborn, inconsistent, and be prone to big temper outbursts.
