Baylor Professor Chosen as One of 50 Most Influential Living Philosophers
John Haldane courtesy photo
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WACO, Texas (Sept. 9, 2016) – Baylor University philosophy professor John Haldane, Ph.D., was selected as one of the 50 most influential living philosophers by TheBestSchools.org, a resource for college and online education.
“The 50 Most Influential Living Philosophers” features contemporary philosophers who may not be household names but whose thinking, writing and teaching influence the world today.
The list includes philosophers who would not be known outside the field, Haldane said, as well as others who work within professional academic philosophy and public intellectuals who reflect and speaks to interests beyond philosophy itself.
“I would say that I fall into these latter categories and that inclusion in the list is recognition of that broader identity,” Haldane said.
In the description of Haldane’s work on TheBestSchools.org, the list focuses on Haldane’s study of Thomas Aquinas. Haldane coined the term “Analytical Thomism” to describe the philosophical movement focused on merging the ideas of contemporary philosophy with the thinking of Saint Thomas Aquinas, who lived in Italy during the 13th century.
At Baylor University, Haldane is the J. Newton Rayzor, Sr., Distinguished Professor of Philosophy. Haldane is also a professor of philosophy at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, chairman of the Royal Institute of Philosophy and a papal advisor to the Vatican.
Haldane has taught and published in aesthetics; moral, social and political philosophy; philosophy of education; philosophy of mind; metaphysics; philosophy of religion and the history of philosophy.
Because of the range of his academic interests, Haldane identified himself as one of a dying species, the “general philosopher.”
“The narrowing of philosophy is a result of specialization, in part as a response to competition, but also because of the influence of ‘scientific’ model of enquiry as highly specific research and discovery,” Haldane said. “Until the mid-twentieth century most philosophers were generalists. Today most are specialists.”
Haldane’s inclusion in this list of influential living philosophers follows another recent honor. After spending the spring semester in Sydney, Australia, the University of Notre Dame Australia awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
“Professor Haldane is recognized by his peers as amongst the most distinguished philosophical voices in academic life today,” UNDA Vice Chancellor Celia Hammond said in her citation.
by Kalli Damschen, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
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