NEWSLETTER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF

I • , I, I • I. I

"It is the habit alone of reasoning which can make a reasoner."-Shaftesbury (1671-1716)

riitings and wilcomi to thi fifth idition of '(1gora, thi Philosophy 6ipartmint's '(1nnualhliwslittir!

Let me begin by thanking N orvin Richards forhis hard work once again in producing a finenewsletter. Agora provides a forumfor maintaining the ties that bind us as a community, both intellectual and social. Professor Richards's editing of Agora is one of the many tasks that this year earned .James R. Otteson him the Morris Mayer Award, which recognizes "selflessand significant Chairman service and leadership forthe U of A community, significantcontributions to student life, and integrity." Congratulations, ProfessorRichards!

The Philosophy Department has once again are doing. That is one of the most important been a busy place this past year, as you will parts of this newsletter, so be sure to send us see herein. One member of our department your own updates fornext time-the "inquiring got tenure and promotion this past year, minds" of your fellowstudents, not to mention which means that as of now all permanent your former professors, want to know what members of the department are tenured. A great things you're doing. second member of our department was promoted to full professor, and a third is Finally, it is with a heavy heart that I report applying forpromotion to fullprofessor this that I am resigning the departmental fall. We also had a number of papers chairmanship at the end of the summer, and pub I ished, and had several books published then resigning my faculty position at UA with several more in the works. We are also altogether as of January 2008. I will be heading traveling to give papers, we are being invited offto new adventures in New York, after ten to contribute to prestigious projects, we are great years in Alabama. I would like to publicly conducting research in areas outside of thank my colleagues and my students for philosophy. challenging me to become the best teacher, researcher, and colleague I could. I will miss We are even doing our part to expand the Alabama. The College of Arts & Sciences ranks of future philosophers: three babies Dept. of Philosophy were born to faculty membersthis past year. I look forwardto continuing to findout about Box 870218 Welcome to the world, George, Dora, and your exploits, and to informingyou of mine, in Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0218 Tel: 205 348-5942 Irving! future editions of Agora. Fax: 205 348-7904 Website: You will also find inside updates on what Respectfullyyours, www.as.ua.edu/philos many of your fellowstudents and graduates James Otteson Change In Leadership

With the unanimous support of the Department, materialize. (Of course, every department chair Scott Hestevold has been appointed its Interim fantasizesthat an alumnus will solve a personnel crisis Chair in place of the departing James Otteson. by funding an endowed chair. Alas, such a solution remains fornow but a fantasy.) Not without sadness do I wish Jim Otteson and his family the very best as Professor As we search fornew philosophers, I hope to Otteson pursues a wonderfulopportunity at begin planning the first Annual Philosophy Yeshiva University. On behalf of my Alumni Lecture. Over the past several years, colleagues, I thank Professor Otteson for several of our prominent guest colloquium having enriched our Department with his speakers have not only addressed the faculty teaching and research and for his having and majors, but have conducted a seminar served an all-too-short term as our tireless session forsome of our advanced students or chair. I also thank the Otteson family-Katie, given a lively public lecture. Beginning in Victoria, James, Joseph, and year-old Spring 2008 with help fromphilosophy alumni, George-for sharing their husband/father I hope to make these sorts of opportunities with the Department of Philosophy. for our faculty, students, and university community an annual event that will also Regarding the Department, Professor entice philosophy alumni back to campus. The Otteson's departure marks not only the loss Prof. H Scott Hestevold Department will invite our alumni to renew of a finecolleague but the loss of our historian their love of philosophy by meeting some of our of philosophy and our political philosopher. Thus, as I majors, auditing a favoriteprofessor's class, attending the begin several years as Interim Chair, the pressing concern guest's public lecture, and chatting with our faculty. forthe Department is to findnew philosophers with these areas of expertise. (Yes, the Department will need two Thanks to the many years of dedicated leadership that Max philosophers to replace one Jim Otteson!) The Hocutt and then Norvin Richards provided and to the Department is gratefulto Dean Robert Olin forapproving course that Jim Otteson has been setting for the a search forone new philosopher to join us in Fall 2008. Department, the University's philosophy facultyis strong As I write, the Department remains optimistic that the indeed: every philosopher is actively engaged in research Provost and Dean will create for us an eighth tenure­ and remains committed to teaching. Arguably, person for track facultyline, allowing a second new philosopher to person, the Department is among the strongest in the join us within the next two years. College of Arts and Sciences. We now have between forty and sixty majors that include some of the fineststudents at The eighth faculty line is especially important for the University. Serving as the Interim Chair of such a moving the Department forward.As you know from department is most certainly an honor; and I take this previous newsletters, the Department features three opportunity to thank publicly my colleagues fortheir vote specialty tracks: Mind and Brain, PreLaw, and of confidencein my serving in this capacity. Philosophical Foundations of Civil Society. Adding an eighth philosopher with expertise in I hope that you will stay in touch with the Philosophy and would not only allow the Department-through email, our website, or with a visit to PreLaw Track to continue while Professor Richards the third floor of ten Hoor Hall when you are next in is on sabbatical leave, but it would enhance what we Tuscaloosa! can offerour Civil Society majors-approximately one­ third of our majors. I hope to be able to report to you H. Scott Hestevold next year that this eighth position did indeed Page 2 FACULTY ACTIVITIES

Torin Alter: This was an eventful year for me. On February 27th, Stuart Rachels reports the publication of the 5th edition of The my wife Elizabeth gave birth to the world's cutest twins: Dora Elements ofMoral Philosophy (previous editions by James Rachels) Jane Alter and Irving Jeremiah Alter. I and the 4th edition of The Right Thing To Do: completed several projects, including a co­ Basic Readings in Moral Philosophy (previous edited book, Phenomenal Concepts and editions by James Rachels). The Elements of Phenomenal Knowledge: New Essays on Moral Philosophy will be published in Consciousness and Physicalism (OUP, Norwegian in 2008, and was probably the best­ 2007); a guest-edited book symposium for selling philosophy book in 2006. In addition, Psyche; and several articles on Columbia University Press has published The consciousness. A new "Torin Alter & the Lying Angels" CD was Legacy of Socrates: Essays in Moral released. And my USATT table tennis rating rose to 1596. Philosophy (written by James Rachels, edited by Stuart.) I-lealso presented "I-lowto Make Group Progress" to a values conferencein Syracuse, published a book review in Phil Review, and became a Life Scott Hestevold gave presentations on the nature of the present Master at bridge. This October, he will deliver the 2007-2008 and temporal passage at annual meetings of the Alabama Edwards Lecture at Emory University. Philosophical Society and the Southern Society forPhilosophy and Psychology. I-lepublished an Norvin Richards spent his writing time this year revising and essay on "God and Morality" in physicist Louis resubmitting a book-length manuscript. In the fall he co-directed W. Perry's Jeffersons Scissors: Conflicts of the College's Freshman Learning Center Religion with Science and Democracy. [Perry, an for Pre-Law, and in the spring he was alumnus of the University of Alabama, enjoyed a honored to receive the Morris Mayer Award. distinguished career in nuclear energy and is now I-leis now figuringout how to teach Intro to a passionate advocate forthe separation of church Philosophy this fall, having discovered that and state, both as an author and teacher.] In Bar Harbor in 2007, he hasn't done so in 25 years and that some Scott taught for the American Academy of Judicial Education, of those notes are showing their age just a conducting forjudges the /judicial-reasoning seminar. bit-the examples involving Gerald Ford will probably have to go!

Max Hocutt (Emeritus) had to have operations on one of his eyes, Richard Richards wrote two essays: "Solving the Species Problem: but still wrote a handful of essays for a forthcoming encyclopedia Kitcher and I-lullon Sets and Individuals" fora Prometheus textbook of and a piece on Herbert on the philosophy of Biology; and "Linnaeus' Spencer for Independent Review. I-le has also Systema Naturae" forthe Harvard Companion been invited to speak at an international to Evolution. I-le is currently working on two conference on mind/brain at the University of papers: "Darwin's Philosophical Impact" for Guadalajara in Spring 2008. the Routledge Companion to the 19th Century and "Taxonomy in Darwin's Origin" for a Cambridge University volume celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Darwin's Birth. I-le will James Otteson: The last academic year was a busy one for me. be on sabbatical next year working on a book My book Actual was published by Cambridge University on philosophical issues related to species and taxonomy. In March, Press in 2006, at very nearly the same time as he and his wife, Rita Snyder, traveled to Buenos Aires for an Argentine our fourth child, GeorgeDennis, was born. Both Tango Congress. I . ., were most welcome events! I also managed to !JL. findtime to give talks in several places: here at Chase Wrenn has had a very good year. Along with Dr. Alter, he I..... ,.- I. ,· UA; at UAB; in Washington, DC (twice); in spent 6 weeks in St. Louis at an NEI-1-sponsored seminar, "Mind Ft. Lauderdale; in Bowling Green, Ohio; in and ." I-le completed his service Louisville; in New York; and in St. Louis. I am as President of the Alabama Philosophical now finishing up a new book, entitled simply Society, and he organized the program for the -� , which will be published by 2007 meeting of the Southern Society for Continuum Press. For the fall, I will once again be doing a lot of Philosophy and Psychology. Two of his articles traveling, including giving papers in Beijing, China and in Israel. I have recently been published. " was also promoted to full professor in the department. Finally, I as Engineering?" appeared in Theoria, and - will, alas, be leaving The University of Alabama as of January "Why there are No Epistemic Duties" appeared 2008, to take up a position as Professor of Philosophy and in Dialogue. The biggest news for Dr. Wrenn, though, is his Economics and Director of the Honors Program at Yeshiva promotion to the rank of Associate Professor and his receipt of University in New York. tenure, both of which take effect this August.

Page 3 Robert Bland (MA, 1969) is a remember my wife Ron Andress (2003) and H. Pryor,U.S. Circuit CourtJudge librarian and information Marie (Maruska), we Susan Martin were married for the Eleventh Circuit Court of specialist at the University of have two girls now, in August 2006. Ron and Appeals, also in Birmingham. NorthCarolina at Asheville. He Olivia (age 6) and Greg Vaughan have started Robin passed the Texas State Bar emailed Max Hocutt to mention Evelyn (16 mo.), they're in Mobile the Vaughan Exam in 2006 andrecently passed that "some of your students both great and having Andress Law Firm, the Alabama State Bar as well. who are no longer in a lot of fun." "focusing on estate planning Although she is currently philosophy still read and and small business law." applying to the Justices of the admire your work." Chase Wrenn (1996) was United States Supreme Court for awarded tenure and promotion Zac Dover (2003) is in the the term following her Circuit Craig Alexander (1977) made to Associate Professor this second year of an MA program Court clerkship, she says she is two stellar appearances in my year. Great to have him as a in German, here at UA. For the also entertaining the idea of course, Phil Issues in Civil law. colleague. past year he has been studying actually being a (gasp!) lawyer in Craig and Elsie are sending either Houston, Atlanta, or Michael Casiday ( 1997) at the Free University of Berlin, their daughter Emily to with a comfortableliving stipend Birmingham after her federal Alabama this coming fall; we emailed an announcement of the birth of Alexander Casi day fromthe Federation ofGerman­ clerkships. Robin also serves as a hope to see her in some Court Appointed Special (October 11, 2006), in Durham, American Clubs. In addition to philosophy classes. Advocate (CASA) in Birmingham England, approx. 8 lbs 10 oz. his courses there in German representing abused and Jeff Tilden (1977) was a He joins Michael and Rachel literature and intellectual history, neglected children. wonderfulhost and tour guide and siblings Helen (7 ½), Bea he reports that he is playing when Janet and I visited Seattle (5 ½), and Anthony (3). piano and reading a great deal. Katie Terry (2003) finishedlaw and environs in summer of Tom Fox, his main professor school at Virginia last year and 2006. He is clearly doing Jason Gray (2002) completed here, tells me Zac also enjoys is an associate at Freeman splendidly and enjoying life. his M.A. in philosophy at findingthe personal websites of Mathis and Gary in Atlanta, What a great guy! Georgia State and is now professors of critical theory, of pursuing a PhD in the subject which Zac has a low opinion, where she works in the corporate Martin McDowell (1992) at the University ofCalifomia­ then contacting them to ask if and government liability emailed this information: "I'm Riverside. he can ask a few questions ...they section, representing corporate on my third tour as State Dept. are always glad to agree, having and governmental entities in Monica Free (2002) and Falko no inkling they are about to be civil rights, torts and general Mielke were marriedJuly 14 in deconstructed themselves. litigation matters. She is also a Guntersville. They will spend mentor with the SafeHouse a year in New York while Falko Jessica Kesler (2003) finished Outreach Mentoring program pursues an LLM at NYU, then law school at LSU and has joined in Atlanta, which provides return to Germany and the New Orleans firmof Chaffe support and mentoring for Monica's life in music. She McCall, where she will work in children with an incarcerated reports that "I passed my final the business/real estate section. parent. recital last June with a mark of This August, she will be married Gabriel Walvatne (2003) has just 1.7 (on a scale of 1-5 where 5 is in New Orleans to Ben Woodruff, finishedlaw school at Maryland. bad and one is good), so I was a fellowlaw student at LSU who very pleased. I teach a million has joined the New Orleans firm He will work for Miles & Stockbridge ofBaltimore, in the students and my favorite ofJones Walker. Foreign Service Officer now Real Estate and Commercial project, the wind band, is (was previously in Slovakia Robin Preusell (2003) growing." Finance Practice Groups doing and El Salvador), and am graduated fromYale Law School mostly real estate and secured currently serving as the Cole Mitchell (2002) is now last year and has been working lending. "My general responsi­ Political-Economic Section ABD at Arizona, where he is as a judicial law clerk to the bilities aredocument draftingand Chief at our Embassy in starting his dissertation. We Honorable R. David Proctor, U.S. research, but I have been Chisinau, Moldova. I'll have hear through the professorial District Judge for the Northern intimatelyinvolved in some really been here two years in August grapevine that the faculty at District of Alabama in exciting projects including and we've extended fora third Arizona regard him as brilliant, Birmingham. Next year she will reporting my research to a panel year. I think you might just as we do. clerk with the Honorable William of senior partners on various Page 4 issues relating to a 600 million dollar deal one of our clients was CLASS OF 2007 engaging in." Chase Espy graduated magna cum laude and with Honors Annie Donaldson (2004) reports in philosophy. He will attend law school at Alabama next that she has survived her third year, with a full scholarship. winter in Boston, Massachusetts and now serves as Assistant Andy Todd (2004) began in June as an Nick Gajewski graduated magna cum laude. He will attend Director ofOperations forthe Mitt associate editor for coal publications law school at Alabama next year, with a full scholarship. Romney for President Campaign. forPlatts, a division of The McGraw­ Hill Companies. "I will edit and write Mark Manuel graduated and will begin graduate work in Justin Peake (2004) has been copy germane to the global coal, coke, the fall at Regents University, in their School of Communications. He will be in the Department of Cinema performingas a musician forthe and steel markets. The post is in and Television, in a track focusing on screen and script past three years, sometimes in London, based in Canary Wharf. This writing and on producing and directing television and film. Tuscaloosa but more commonly follows eighteen months as an in New Orleans and in New York editorial manager for the Oxford Kathryn Picard graduated magna cum laude with a double City. His music is improvisational Business Group. There, I was major in philosophy and biology. She plans graduate work and very cutting edge, featuring responsible for in-country project in biology, and may also do a Masters in philosophy. "For interactive software that management and copywriting forour the next year, I'll be finishing my Master's degree in involves both the other Emerging Markets series of Molecular Phylogenetics and Systematics and preparing musicians and the audience in publications. During my tenure, I was applications to various doctoral programs in evolutionary psychology, behavioral ecology, and the history and the show. He is now applying to based in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and . I'll also be presenting my research do a Masters either at the Kiev in succession." at two international conferencesand preparing two journal University ofEdinburgh ( digital articles-one on postprandial metabolite circulation in composition and performance) Gaines Johnston (2005) completed his three snake families and another on chytrid fungal or at NYU's Tisch School firstyear oflaw school at Alabama this diversity." (Interactive Telecommunications.) spring. John Richards graduated summa cum laude with a double Parker Sweet (2004) was awarded major in philosophy and psychology. John will spend a Best Paper in his jurisprudence Jonathan Murray (2005) will begin an year earning some money, then do graduate work in either seminar for his application of M.A.in politicaltheory in thefall of 2007 philosophy or psychology. Dworkinian interpretive theory to at the . He has the bankruptcy code. He says this Karissa Rinas graduated magna cum laude, with a second spent the last two years working as a major in religious studies. She will work for that accomplishment is "directly think tank researcher. attributable to my undergraduate department this summer as a research assistant, while applying to law schools and graduate schools fora Master's training, in no small degree," but Robert Davis (2006) has completed his in philosophy. we have enough on our first year of law school at Ole Miss. consciences as it is. Good for Hugh Thompson graduated magna cum laude and with Parker! He finishes law school at In �emoriam High Honors in philosophy, doing a double major in Alabama this year, and plans to do philosophy and history. Next year, Hugh will work toward bankruptcylaw as close as possible a Masters in philosophy at Georgia State. His longer­ to Boston & his fiancee Lisa if an Michael Mabrya senior double range plan is to seek a PhD in economics. opportunity arises, and otherwise majoring in philosophy and to work for Crabtree and Sweet in Amanda Velke graduates this August and will attend law finance, died June 9 in an school at Alabama this fall. Mobile. automobile accident in Georgia. Brad Watson graduated summa cum laude with a double Brett Talley (2004) finished his In addition to his work in finalyear at Harvard Law School. major in philosophy and political science. He will attend Aftertaking the Alabama bar this philosophy, Michael was active in law school at the Jones School of Law in Montgomery, on summer, Brett plans to move to Big Brothers Big Sisters andwas a full scholarship. Washington, D.C. where he will theresident managerat UA Baptist Gabriela Watson graduated with a double major in become an associate with the law Student Ministries. His early philosophy and political science. She will attend law school frrmof Gibson, Dunn,and Crutcher. death is a terrible loss. at the Jones School of Law in Montgomery.

Page 5 Student Honors and Awards Jack Parker has been named a Humane Studies Fellow for 2007-08 by the Institute of Humane Studies. After another year with us he plans to attend medical school, currently with a plan to become an ophthalmologist fora for-profit medical provider in places like rural India. The award fromthe Institute carriesa stipend of $2000, which he will use to fmance a tripto the Aaravind Eye Care System in India.

Kathryn Picard was one of six undergraduates honored this year with the Dean's Award of Merit. The Dean noted that Faculty Honor and Award "Kathryn has had substantial and important research experience here as a Howard Hughes Research Internand she Morris L. Mayer Award has received National Science Foundation funding. When she and I spoke last week, she spoke of the importance of Prof. Norvin Richards is the 2007 winner of the ProfessorsMartha Powell, Richard Richardsand James Otteson Morris L. Mayer Award. The inscription reads as to her career at the University. Kathryn also took advantage follows. "This honor recognizes one member of the of the University's study abroad programs by studying at the teaching faculty who exemplifies the qualities University of Glasgow." governing the life of Morris L. Mayer: selfless service, integrity, leadership, and substantial Nick Gajewski and Karissa Rinas were inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in fallof 2006. Chase Espy and Sarah Simpler contributions to student life." Norv especially received this same high honor in spring of 2007. cherishes the wonderfulremarks made on his behalf in letters of support. A professor'slife is a splendid Hugh Thompson won the annual award offered by the state opportunity to work with some great people, and he society forprofessors of philosophy fort he single best paper has enjoyed doing so more than he can say. submitted by an undergraduate, for his highly original piece on the Keiodecision and the state's power of eminent domain. Winning brought a cash stipend and a place on the society's program, where Hugh defendedh is paper very ably indeed in philosophers' version of hand-to-hand combat. (J)epartmentjlwaras The Iredell Jankins Endowed Memorial Scholarship: Winner- Hugh Thompson Second Place (tie)- Matthew Haney& Matthew Price Honorable Mention - Nicholas Gajewski, Kathryn Picard& KarissaRinas

The Marten & Marie ten Hoor Prize Winner- Hugh Thompson

The Norvin Richards Award in Philosophy & Law Winners - Chase Espy & Sarah Simpler Prof. Norvin Richards & wife Janet Richards attending the Mayer Award Ceremony

Page 6 :M is Of(J'/i,ifosopffy �

The "Twinkies," aren't we cute? It's siesta time!

Twin babies Irving & Dora: DOB 2-27-07, Dora & Irving Alter children of Prof. Torin Alter & wife Elizabeth Alter

George, chilling in the park! Mr. personality, cute as a button!

Baby George: DOB 8-17-06, son of Prof. James Otteson & wife Katie Otteson George Otteson

Page 7 Our Generous Alums

Last year, Beverly and Steve Davis generously These Symposia, held annually since 1994, bring together established a fund to support scholarly travel by our 16-20 Chinese and American philosophers and religious faculty. In our case, our travel is usually undertaken so scholars to discuss a wide range of issues involving both as to present a paper to some learned society, where we Chinese and and religion." The theme benefitfr om the ensuing discussion of our work and from this year is "Happiness: A Multidisciplinary, Cross-Cultural the other papers on the program. It is very valuable to Dialogue," and Professor Otteson's paper will be on 18th­ us, and we are delighted to have century conceptions of happiness and the role politics and the Davises' help. economics play in making people happy.

The first travel grant from the Davis Fund will help enable Professor James Otteson to be part of (quoting the letter of invitation) the "American delegation to the Sino-American Symposium on Philosophy and The Philosophy Department is very grateful to Amy 5teve & Beverly Religious Studies, to be held at McManus and Andrew Odewan, who added $500 to Tsinghua University, October 15-17, 2007. Tsinghua the principal of the Norvin Richards Award in Philosophy University in Beijingis 'the MIT of China.' and the Law.

'Your ne{p woutif6e more tnan weCcome!

We would greatly appreciate donations

• to help fund the Annual Philosophy Alumni Lecture described on pp. 2 and 9

• to add to the principal of our named student awards, thereby increasing the stipends we are able to award for the ten Hoor Prize, or the Jenkins Scholarship, or the Richards Award

• to add to the principal of the Beverly and Stephen Davis Endowed Support Fund

• to help the Department in any way of your choosing

• to help with an unspecified need-or, for that matter, with an unspecified luxury!

Page 8 ,, 'In e "(pn,i{osopny 'Io rfay Speaker Series

During 2007-2008, the Department "Philosophy Today" should enjoy of Philosophy and the College of communitywide appeal that will bring Arts and Sciences will sponsor the together students, faculty, alumni, and "Philosophy Today" speaker series. interested townsfolk forlively talks Five or six philosophical luminaries by some of the finest philosophers will be invited to campus to give pub 1 i c at work today. Dr. Hestevold's hope is that these talks (in addition to colloquia for faculty and occasions will affordboth experts and nonexperts majors) on some of the current problems in their insight into the problems of a discipline that can specialties , sketching different approaches to appear as arcane as it is abstract. solving these problems including their own. Loren Lomasky will launch the series on October 16, Though the philosophy facultyar e gratefulto Dean 2007 with a public address on "The State of Robert Olin who, on behalf of the College of Arts Political Philosophy: 2008." The author of and Sciences, approved support for this series, Dr. Persons, Rights, and the Moral Community Hestevold now asks philosophy alumni to help him (Oxford, 1987), Lomasky is Cory Professorof add to the series a sixth speaker on the state of Political Philosophy, Policy and Law at the philosophy ofreligion. This speaker's talk will be University of Virginia. billed as the firstAnnual Philosophy Alumni Lecture (mentioned by elsewhere in this newsletter); Ernest Sosa's public talk on "The State of programs will be printed with a listing of the Epistemology: 2008" will bring the series to a contributors, and there will be a reception close on April 29, 2008. The author of afterwards forthe alumni who attend. Ifyou would Knowledge in Perspective (Cambridge, 1991) like to be a contributor--$25, $50, $100, $250 or and A Virtue Ep istemology (Oxford, 2007), more?--please send to Dr. Hestevold your check Sosa taught at Brown University for more than (made payable to the University of Alabama fortyye ars and is now on the Rutgers faculty. Philosophy Department). One local alumna has Other series speakers will address the state of already pledged $100 to the 2008 Annual ethics, metaphysics, and . Philosophy Alumni Lecture.

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