Marjorie S. Price joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Philosophy in 1977 after finishing her Ph.D. at New York University. Her first publication was in the Journal of Philosophy, which was—and remains—one of the most significant philosophy journals in the world.
Price's philosophical research was primarily in metaphysics and philosophy of language. Among Price's publications were articles on the nature of events, what it is for one thing to cause another, how to understand something as the same even though it changes over time, and the ethical use of personal data on the internet.
After 40 years of service to the University, Price retired from UAB in 2018. In the years leading up to her retirement, she regularly taught “Metaphysics,” “Introduction to Symbolic Logic,” and “Contemporary Moral Issues” as well as other courses. She appreciated Socrates’ idea of philosophy as a cooperative search for the truth, and she put this idea into effect in the classroom by encouraging students to express their ideas and examine them together with the other students in the class.
Sadly, Price passed away on May 30, 2024. Her final resting place is Temple Sholom Cemetery in Bridgewater, New Jersey.
In June 2024, the Department of Philosophy established the Majorie Price Scholarship in Philosophy and invited her friends, colleagues, and former students to contribute to it. Now, through a generous gift from Jane Laudon in memory of her sister Marjorie Price, the scholarship will be awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year. In addition, the gift established an endowed scholarship—titled the Marjorie Price Endowed Scholarship for Philosophy—which will go to students who are pursuing a degree in philosophy, demonstrate academic promise, and for whom affordability may be a barrier.
“The Marjorie Price Endowed Scholarship is a great benefit to the department,” said Kevin McCain, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Philosophy. “It will help ensure that talented young philosophers are able to pursue their studies. Dr. Price would be proud.”
The College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Philosophy offer sincere appreciation to Majorie Price and Jane Laudon.
For those interested in donating to the Majorie Price Endowed Scholarship, please visit the scholarship’s giving page.