Randall Auxier
Encyclopedia
Randall E. Auxier is a professor
of philosophy
at Southern Illinois University
.
Born in Leitchfield, Kentucky
, Auxier, the younger of two children, is the son of a veterinarian and a professional church musician. Educated in the public schools of Memphis, Tennessee, he received an undergraduate degree in philosophy and criminal justice in 1986 and a master’s degree in philosophy in 1988, both from the University of Memphis
. He went on to receive his Ph.D. in philosophy from Emory University
in 1992. He chaired the philosophy department at Oklahoma City University
from 1992–1997 and was founding director of the OCU Institute of Liberal Arts from 1994-1999. While at OCU, Randy also established and taught philosophy courses for several years at the nearby public high school Classen School of Advanced Studies
.
He accepted a position at Southern Illinois University in 2000 and in 2001 was appointed the editor of the Library of Living Philosophers
in 2001, the third in its history, following series founder Paul Arthur Schilpp
(1938–1981), and Lewis Edwin Hahn (1981–2001). Since taking the post he has completed volumes on Seyyed Hossein Nasr
(2001), Marjorie Grene
(2003), Jaakko Hintikka
(2006), Michael Dummett
(2007) and Richard Rorty
(2010). Auxier’s interest in philosophical personalism led him to become editor of the scholarly journal The Personalist Forum in 1997, later renamed The Pluralist in 2005. The Pluralist became the official journal of the Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy in 2010.
He has authored or co-authored more than 100 papers and presentations around the United States and in several other countries, written many scholarly articles, book chapters, and encyclopedia entries, and edited numerous books. Subjects on which he has published range widely - from John Dewey and Alfred North Whitehead, to the limits of evolution, biker bars, and ministries related to homosexuality. His current work includes a book, Time, Will and Purpose: Living Ideas from the Philosophy of Josiah Royce, in press with Open Court to appear in 2010, and as co-editor of Bruce Springsteen and Philosophy, and The Wizard of Oz and Philosophy, both published in 2008 in the Popular Culture and Philosophy Series with Open Court. Auxier's creative works also include short stories, occasional poetry, and three music CD’s.
Auxier currently lives with his wife Gaye in Murphysboro, Illinois
, where they are active members in the United Methodist Church. Auxier serves as the permanent teacher of the Passages Sunday School Class and directs the Handbell Choir.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of 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...
at Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University is a state university system based in Carbondale, Illinois, in the Southern Illinois region of the state, with multiple campuses...
.
Born in Leitchfield, Kentucky
Leitchfield, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,139 people, 2,485 households, and 1,615 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,797 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.63% White, 1.56% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.18%...
, Auxier, the younger of two children, is the son of a veterinarian and a professional church musician. Educated in the public schools of Memphis, Tennessee, he received an undergraduate degree in philosophy and criminal justice in 1986 and a master’s degree in philosophy in 1988, both from the University of Memphis
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....
. He went on to receive his Ph.D. in philosophy from Emory University
Emory University
Emory University is a private research university in metropolitan Atlanta, located in the Druid Hills section of unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The university was founded as Emory College in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia by a small group of Methodists and was named in honor of...
in 1992. He chaired the philosophy department at Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University, often referred to as OCU, is a coeducational, urban, private university historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church...
from 1992–1997 and was founding director of the OCU Institute of Liberal Arts from 1994-1999. While at OCU, Randy also established and taught philosophy courses for several years at the nearby public high school Classen School of Advanced Studies
Classen School of Advanced Studies
Classen School of Advanced Studies is a public magnet school serving students in grades 6-12 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma...
.
He accepted a position at Southern Illinois University in 2000 and in 2001 was appointed the editor of the Library of Living Philosophers
Library of Living Philosophers
The Library of Living Philosophers is a series of books conceived of and started by Paul Arthur Schilpp in 1939; Schilpp remained editor until 1981. The series was edited by Lewis Edwin Hahn from 1981 until 2001, and is currently edited by Randall Auxier...
in 2001, the third in its history, following series founder Paul Arthur Schilpp
Paul Arthur Schilpp
Paul Arthur Schilpp was an American educator.He was born in Germany and immigrated to the United States prior to World War I...
(1938–1981), and Lewis Edwin Hahn (1981–2001). Since taking the post he has completed volumes on Seyyed Hossein Nasr
Seyyed Hossein Nasr
Seyyed Hossein Nasr is an Iranian University Professor of Islamic studies at George Washington University, and a prominent Islamic philosopher...
(2001), Marjorie Grene
Marjorie Grene
Marjorie Glicksman Grene was an American philosopher.She wrote both on existentialism and the philosophy of science, especially the philosophy of biology. She taught at the University of California at Davis from 1965 to 1978. From 1988 until her death she was Honorary University Distinguished...
(2003), Jaakko Hintikka
Jaakko Hintikka
Kaarlo Jaakko Juhani Hintikka is a Finnish philosopher and logician.Hintikka was born in Vantaa. After teaching for a number of years at Florida State University, Stanford, University of Helsinki, and the Academy of Finland, he is currently Professor of Philosophy at Boston University...
(2006), Michael Dummett
Michael Dummett
Sir Michael Anthony Eardley Dummett FBA D.Litt is a British philosopher. He was, until 1992, Wykeham Professor of Logic at the University of Oxford...
(2007) and Richard Rorty
Richard Rorty
Richard McKay Rorty was an American philosopher. He had a long and diverse academic career, including positions as Stuart Professor of Philosophy at Princeton, Kenan Professor of Humanities at the University of Virginia, and Professor of Comparative Literature at Stanford University...
(2010). Auxier’s interest in philosophical personalism led him to become editor of the scholarly journal The Personalist Forum in 1997, later renamed The Pluralist in 2005. The Pluralist became the official journal of the Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy in 2010.
He has authored or co-authored more than 100 papers and presentations around the United States and in several other countries, written many scholarly articles, book chapters, and encyclopedia entries, and edited numerous books. Subjects on which he has published range widely - from John Dewey and Alfred North Whitehead, to the limits of evolution, biker bars, and ministries related to homosexuality. His current work includes a book, Time, Will and Purpose: Living Ideas from the Philosophy of Josiah Royce, in press with Open Court to appear in 2010, and as co-editor of Bruce Springsteen and Philosophy, and The Wizard of Oz and Philosophy, both published in 2008 in the Popular Culture and Philosophy Series with Open Court. Auxier's creative works also include short stories, occasional poetry, and three music CD’s.
Auxier currently lives with his wife Gaye in Murphysboro, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, where they are active members in the United Methodist Church. Auxier serves as the permanent teacher of the Passages Sunday School Class and directs the Handbell Choir.
Books
- Rush and Philosophy, contributor (Open Court, 2011)
- Time, Will and Purpose: Living Ideas from the Philosophy of Josiah Royce, author (Open Court, 2010)
- The Philosophy of Richard Rorty, co-editor (Open Court, 2010)
- Bruce Springsteen and Philosophy: Darkness on the Edge of Truth, co-editor, contributor (Open Court, 2008)
- The Wizard of Oz and Philosophy: Wicked Wisdom of the West, co-editor, contributor (Open Court, 2008)
- What Philosophy Can Tell You about Your Cat, contributor (Open Court, 2008)
- What Philosophy Can Tell You about Your Dog, contributor (Open Court, 2008)
- The Philosophy of Michael Dummett, co-editor (Open Court, 2007)
- The Grateful Dead and Philosophy, contributor (Open Court, 2007)
- Pink Floyd and Philosophy, contributor (Open Court 2007)
- Quentin Tarrantino and Philosophy, contributor (Open Court, 2007)
- Alfred Hitchcock and Philosophy, contributor (Open Court, 2007)
- South Park and Philosophy: Bigger, Longer, and More PenetratingSouth Park and Philosophy: Bigger, Longer, and More PenetratingSouth Park and Philosophy: Bigger, Longer, and More Penetrating is a non-fiction book analyzing the philosophy and popular culture effects of South Park, published by Open Court...
, contributor (Open Court, 2007) - Monty Python and Philosophy, contributor (Open Court, 2006)
- Harley Davidson and Philosophy, contributor (Open Court, 2006)
- The Philosophy of Jaakko Hintikka, co-editor (Open Court, 2006)
- The Atkins Diet and Philosophy, contributor (Open Court, 2006)
- The Philosophy of Marjorie Greene, co-editor (Open Court, 2003)
- The Philosophy of Seyyed Hossein Nasr, co-editor (Open Court, 2001)
- Critical Responses to the Philosophy of Josiah Royce, editor (Thoemmes Press, 2001)
- God, Process and Persons: The Philosophical Correspondence of Charles Harsthorne and E.S. Brightman, co-editor, contributor (Vanderbilt University Press, 2000)
External links
- Auxier's Curriculum Vita
- Official website of The Pluralist
- Website of the Library of Living Philosophers
- Open Court Library of Living Philosophers
- Auxier's music homepage
- A Dialogue on Bergson
- Imagination and Historical Knowledge in Vico
- The River: A Vichian Dialogue on Humanistic Education
- God, Process, and Persons
- Straussian Descendant? The Historicist Renewal
- Susanne Langer on Symbols and Analogy