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Barry C. Smith

Director of the Institute of Philosophy, University of London

"Don’t argue about how much salt there is in food — this can save relationships — you live in different taste worlds; you’ve got different taste buds.”


Barry C Smith is a professor of philosophy and directs the Institute of Philosophy at the University of London’s School of Advanced Study. Founding director of the Centre for the Study of Senses, Barry C Smith has created a platform for collaborative research between philosophers, psychologists and neuroscientists. Smith’s research interests include the philosophy of mind and language, and currently researches on the multisensory nature of perceptual experience. Given his interest in sensory perceptions, Barry C Smith often collaborates with chefs and artists and has appeared on food programmes such as BBC’s Masterchef, BBC Two’s Inside the Factory and on BBC Radio 4’s The Kitchen Cabinet. Barry C Smith has edited The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Language, Oxford University Press and Questions of Taste: the Philosophy of Wine. He is a frequent contributor to The World of Fine Wine and is a wine columnist for Prospect Magazine.


“Well up to the task of situating wine-centered questions within a larger framework of questions about taste and perception, subjectivity and objectivity.” ~ The TLS

"Don’t argue about how much salt there is in food — this can save relationships — you live in different taste worlds; you’ve got different taste buds.”


Barry C Smith is a professor of philosophy and directs the Institute of Philosophy at the University of London’s School of Advanced Study. Founding director of the Centre for the Study of Senses, Barry C Smith has created a platform for collaborative research between philosophers, psychologists and neuroscientists. Smith’s research interests include the philosophy of mind and language, and currently researches on the multisensory nature of perceptual experience. Given his interest in sensory perceptions, Barry C Smith often collaborates with chefs and artists and has appeared on food programmes such as BBC’s Masterchef, BBC Two’s Inside the Factory and on BBC Radio 4’s The Kitchen Cabinet. Barry C Smith has edited The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Language, Oxford University Press and Questions of Taste: the Philosophy of Wine. He is a frequent contributor to The World of Fine Wine and is a wine columnist for Prospect Magazine.


“Well up to the task of situating wine-centered questions within a larger framework of questions about taste and perception, subjectivity and objectivity.” ~ The TLS

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