Mrinal Miri was born in Shillong in the year 1940. He went to various small town schools in Assam. After his schooling he went to Presidency College Calcutta, to read for his B.A (H) degree in philosophy. He then took his M.A degree in philosophy from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. In 1964, Miri went, on a scholarship, to Cambridge where he took his tripos (in philosophy) and the Ph.D degree under the supervision of the Late Professor Bernard Williams. He returned to Delhi in 1970 to teach in St. Stephen’s College. In 1974 he moved to Shillong to set up the department of philosophy in the newly established central university (North Eastern Hill University). He retired as the Vice- Chancellor of this university in 2005. He has lived in Delhi since then. Prior to becoming Vice-Chancellor he was Director of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study at Shimla from 1993 to 1999. Professor Miri has been a member of bodies like the University Grants Commission, Indian Council of Social Science Research and Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR). He has also been the Chairman of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (1994-1997). He has been Visiting Professor in several universities. In 2008, Miri was appointed the Chairman of the Forum of the Vice Chancellors of the Central Universities of the North-Eastern Region by the Government of India. He is the Chairman of the Centre for Studies of Developing Societies (CSDS). He is also a member of the Central Advisory Board of Education. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the President of India for his contribution in the field of education and literature. He has been a member of the National Advisory Council constituted by the Prime Minister of India (2005-2008). Recently Miri has been nominated by the President of India to the Upper House (Rajya Sabha) of the Indian Parliament.

His main interest in Philosophy is in the areas of philosophy of culture and moral philosophy. He has made very significant contribution to the understanding of issues relating to our tribal cultures. He is the author of several books and numerous papers in professional journals. Miri’s publications include articles in journals like Mind, Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, Philosophical Studies, Journal of Value Inquiry, Indian Philosophical Quarterly and Journal of Indian Council of Philosophical Research. He has also published widely in professional multi disciplinary journals. He has published several books of which the latest is Identity and the Moral Life (OUP, 2003). He is currently engaged in writing a book on Philosophy and Education.