¹ This is a slightly revised version of the text of a public lecture given in Cambridge on 27 February 1991, one of a series on Cambridge philosophers arranged for the University's Philosophy Faculty by Renford Bambrough. It draws heavily on a radio broadcast about Ramsey, ‘Better than the stars’, which I wrote and presented on BBC Radio 3 on 27 February 1978. Besides the interest of its subject matter, the lecture is reproduced here for two reasons: first, with the kind permission of thoseconcerned, to put on record the contributions made to my broadcast by Ramsey's family and friends and by philosophers influenced by his work; and second, as a tribute to Mr Bambrough's distinguished and distinctive editing of Philosophy over many years. I am indebted to his successor, Professor Anthony O'Hear, for suggesting revisions to the text as delivered and, in particular, the reference to Quine.

² See note 1.

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