David Skrbina
Encyclopedia
David Skrbina is a pioneer of ecophilosophy. He stood for the office of Lieutenant Governor
for the U.S. state
of Michigan
as the Green Party
candidate in 2006
, as the running mate
of Douglas Campbell
.
Skrbina was born and raised in the Detroit area. In 1993 he received his master’s degree in mathematics
at the University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor. After several years experience as a management consultant, he attended the University of Bath
gaining a doctorate in philosophy
there in 2001. He is currently a professor of philosophy at the University of Michigan's Dearborn
campus.
He has developed an ecologically-centered worldview encompassing ethics
, metaphysics
, and cosmology
. He is Deputy Director of the Eco-Philosophy Center. He has been active in the University of Michigan calling for divestment from Israel.
Skrbina published his first book, Panpsychism in the West (ISBN 0262195224), in 2005. Addressing the themes of historical acceptance of panpsychism
, its treatment in contemporary scientific and academic discussions, and the ethical implications of panpsychism, the book was well received by critics.
Skrbina's newest book is an anthology of panpsychist writings, Mind That Abides: Panpsychism in the New Millennium (Benjamins, 2009).
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
for the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
as the Green Party
Green Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
candidate in 2006
Michigan gubernatorial election, 2006
The Michigan gubernatorial election of 2006 was one of the 36 U.S. gubernatorial elections held November 7, 2006. Incumbent Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm was re-elected over Republican businessman Dick DeVos, Libertarian Gregory Creswell, Green Douglas Campbell, and U.S. Taxpayer Candidate...
, as the running mate
Running mate
A running mate is a person running together with another person on a joint ticket during an election. The term is most often used in reference to the person in the subordinate position but can also properly be used when referring to both candidates, such as "Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen were...
of Douglas Campbell
Douglas Campbell (Michigan politician)
Douglas Campbell is a two-time Green Party Candidate for Governor of Michigan and a 2008 candidate for the United States House of Representatives. In 2002 Campbell received 25,236 votes...
.
Skrbina was born and raised in the Detroit area. In 1993 he received his master’s degree in mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, Ann Arbor. After several years experience as a management consultant, he attended the University of Bath
University of Bath
The University of Bath is a campus university located in Bath, United Kingdom. It received its Royal Charter in 1966....
gaining a doctorate in philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
there in 2001. He is currently a professor of philosophy at the University of Michigan's Dearborn
Dearborn, Michigan
-Economy:Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters in Dearborn. In addition its Dearborn campus contains many research, testing, finance and some production facilities. Ford Land controls the numerous properties owned by Ford including sales and leasing to unrelated businesses such as the...
campus.
He has developed an ecologically-centered worldview encompassing ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
, metaphysics
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
, and cosmology
Cosmology
Cosmology is the discipline that deals with the nature of the Universe as a whole. Cosmologists seek to understand the origin, evolution, structure, and ultimate fate of the Universe at large, as well as the natural laws that keep it in order...
. He is Deputy Director of the Eco-Philosophy Center. He has been active in the University of Michigan calling for divestment from Israel.
Skrbina published his first book, Panpsychism in the West (ISBN 0262195224), in 2005. Addressing the themes of historical acceptance of panpsychism
Panpsychism
In philosophy, panpsychism is the view that all matter has a mental aspect, or, alternatively, all objects have a unified center of experience or point of view...
, its treatment in contemporary scientific and academic discussions, and the ethical implications of panpsychism, the book was well received by critics.
Skrbina's newest book is an anthology of panpsychist writings, Mind That Abides: Panpsychism in the New Millennium (Benjamins, 2009).
Selected publications
- Faculty Perspective: On the Question of Divestment from Israel/Palestine.
- "Participation, Organization, and Mind: Toward a Participatory Worldview", Doctoral Thesis, Centre for Action ResearchAction researchAction research or participatory action research – is a reflective process of progressive problem solving led by individuals working with others in teams or as part of a "community of practice" to improve the way they address issues and solve problems. Action research is done simply by action,...
in Professional Practice, School of Management, University of Bath: England, 2001. - "Panpsychism as an Underlying Theme in Western Philosophy: A Survey Paper" in Journal of Consciousness StudiesJournal of Consciousness StudiesThe Journal of Consciousness Studies is an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated entirely to the field of consciousness studies. It was previously edited by Joseph Goguen. It has been co-edited by the philosopher of mysticism, Robert K.C...
Volume 10, No. 3, March 2003. - Panpsychism in the West (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2005), ISBN 0262195224.
- "A Revolutionary for our Times." Published as Introduction to Technological Slavery: The Collected Writings of Theodore J. Kaczynski, a.k.a The Unabomber (Port Townswend, WA: Feral House 2010), ISBN 1932595805