Nicholas Musings

I’m a writer, philosopher, social critic, and teacher. The social critic must use his writing and teaching to promote the ultimate goal of human society: the fullest development of the human person in all of her dimensions. Philosophy aids in highlighting the logic of thought and structures of oppression and domination that prevent the development of the human person. Speculative fiction aids this goal by shedding light on the human person and imagining the ultimate logic of the current social situation as well as the promise of freedom in that situation. I’m a convert to Roman Catholicism, but find in its social teachings much that illuminates principles of justice that can guide human beings as active designers of their local, national, and global world. This teaching begins with the understanding of natural law, based on the dignity of the human person, as aimed at human fulfillment in this life as preparation for blessed life in the next. Love underlies all. This site is dedicated to exploring the promise and peril in contemporary understandings of human nature, society, culture, and politics for the future development of the human person.

Curriculum Vitae
Jeffery L. Nicholas
August 2010

Associate Professor, Philosophy
Mt Angel Seminary
One Abbey Drive
St. Benedict, OR. 97373
Cell Phone: 503-385-5465 email: Jeffery.nicholas@mtangel.edu

Education:
University of Kentucky, Ph.D. Philosophy, May 2002
Certificate in Social Theory, 1998
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, MA Philosophy, 1995.
Thomas More College, BA Philosophy, 1993.

Areas of Specialization:
Critical Theory History of Philosophy
Ethics and History of Ethics
Social and Political Philosophy
Philosophical Anthropology

Areas of Competence:
Logic
History of Philosophy
20th Century Continental Philosophy
Applied Ethics, including Professional Ethics
Feminist Ethics

SCHOLARSHIP

PUBLICATIONS:

Books

Editor, Dune and Philosophy, Pop Culture and Philosophy Series, Open Court, forthcoming, Spring 2011.

Under Review:
Reason, Tradition, and the Good: Toward a Substantive Conception of Reason for a Critical Theory of Society – at University of Notre Dame Press.

Journal Articles:

“Eucharist and Dragon Fighting,” Philosophy and Management 7 (1): 2008, 93-106.

“Rights, Individualism, Community: Aristotle and the Communitarian-Liberalism Debate," Review Journal of Political Philosophy 1 (1-2): 2003, 223-249.

“A New Hope: MacIntyre and the Future of Critical Theory,” Catholic Horizons 1(2): September/October 2001, 20-63.

Book Contributions:

“Facing the Gom Jabbar Test, or Becoming Human,” in Dune and Philosophy, ed. Jeffery Nicholas, forthcoming Spring 2011, Open Court Press.

Interviews

“Nation, Ethnicity, and Reason: An Interview with David Ingram,” in disClosure 8: Spring 1999, pp. 123 – 139, (co-authors: Kelli McAllister and Christine Metzo).

“History, Nationalism, and Modernity: An Interview with Geoff Eley,” in disClosure 8: Spring 1999, pp. 35 – 51, (co-authors: Brandon Claycomb and Laurel Smith).

“Identity: Cultural Knowledge - Self-Knowledge: disClosure Interviews Linda Alcoff,” disClosure 7: Spring 1998, pp. 41 – 60, (co-authors: Anne Ciasullo and Christine Metzo).

Book Reviews

God, Philosophy, Universities by Alasdair MacIntyre, Perspectives: International Postgraduate Journal of Philosophy, forthcoming.

Modern Social Imaginaries by Charles Taylor, The Review of Metaphysics, December 2005

The Communitarian Persuasion by Philip Selznick, The Review of Metaphysics, 57 (4) 2004, 194-196.

Daring to Speak: a review of Paulo Freire’s Teachers as Cultural Workers: Letters to Those Who Dare Teach and Manning Marable’s Speaking Truth to Power: Essays on Race, Resistance, and Radicalism. Radical Philosophy Review 6 (2) 2003, 197-199.

Return to Reason by Stephen Toulmin, Philosophy in Review XXII (4): August 2002, pp. 308-310.

Reinterpreting the Political ed. Leonore Langsdore, in Philosophy in Review XIX (3): June 1999, pp. 196 - 198.

Self-Ownership, Freedom and Equality by G. A. Cohen, in disClosure 6: Spring 1997, pp. 151 - 154.


INVITED PRESENTATIONS ON CAMPUSES:

“Heterosexism, Evil Practices, and Reason: a Communitarian Response to a Feminist Critique,” West Chester University, March 2, 2005.

“Cosmopolitans, Statists, Thomists: International Redistribution of Resources,” Thomas More College, April 5, 2004.

“Reason, Tradition, and the Good: Outlining a Substantive Conception of Reason,” St. Joseph’s University, February 11, 2003, Philadelphia, PA.

“The Relationship Between Applied Ethics and Theoretical Ethics,” Seton Hall University, February 2002, Orange, NJ.

“Land Ownership and Reason among the Lakota Sioux and Colonial Americans,” Transylvania University, February 2002, Lexington, KY.

“Rights, Individualism, Community: Aristotle and the Communitarian-Liberalism Debate,” Ohio University - Athens, June 21, 2001, Athens, OH.

“Gender and Justice,” November 1999, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY.

“Quine, Normativity, Feminism, and Bias,” Spring 1998, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY.


ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS:

“The Hope of Human Nature: Na’vi Tradition and Technology,” Faith, Film, and Philosophy Seminar, Faith and Reason Institute, Gonzaga University, Oct. 8-9, 2010.

“One-Dimensional Birth: A MacIntyrean Reappropriation of Marcuse,” ISME Fourth International Conference, Mykolis Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania, 29 July – 1 August, 2010.

“Critical Theory, Natural Law, and the Common Good, or the City versus the Polis,” ISME Third International Conference, University College Dublin, Ireland, March 9th, 2009.

“Prolegomena to Any Future Aristotelian-Thomistic Philosophical Anthropology,” Theory, Practice, and Tradition: Human Rationality in Pursuit of the Good Life, St. Meinrad Abbey, St. Meinrad, IN. July 30 – Aug 3, 2008.

“Eucharist and Dragon-Fighting: Reason, Tradition, and Ideology Critique,” Revolutionary Aristotelianism, London Metropolitan University, London UK, June 29-Jul 1, 2007.

“The Human Person, Charity, and Peace: Toward a Renewal of Civilization,” American Maritain Association, Houston, TX. October 21-24, 2004

“Global Justice and Moral Language,” Association for Practical and Professional Ethics XIII Annual Meeting, Cincinnati, OH., February 25 - 28, 2004.

“Thomism, Maritain, and Feminism: Toward a Thomistic Critical Theory,” American Maritain Association, Chicago, University of Chicago – School of Divinity, October 16 - 19, 2003.

“Equality, Community, And Rights: Reviewing the Feminist Case Against Communitarianism,” North American Society for Social Philosophy, Northeastern University, July 17 - 19, 2003.

“Sacred Hoops and Power Pyramids: A Case Study in Tradition-Constitutive Reason,” Kentucky Philosophical Association Fall Meeting, November 7 2001, Spalding University, Louisville, KY.

“Power and Real Interests: Foucault and Marcuse on Power,” Midsouth Philosophy Conference, February 23 - 24, 2001, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN.

“The Problem of Reason and the Present Task for a Consortium on Social Theory,” Inaugural Conference of the Consortium on Social Theory, May 11 - 14, 2000, Lexington, KY.

“Sciron: Rogue or Wild Animal: Examining the Case for Natural Rights in Aristotle’s Politics,” American Philosophical Association - Pacific Division, April 5 - 8, 2000, Albuquerque, NM.

“Inclusion of the Community: An Aristotelian Reply to Habermas,” Society for Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy, October 7 - 9, 1999, Eugene, OR.

“Community and Liberty in the Politics,” North Texas Philosophical Association, March 13, 1999, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX.

“Making Naturalized Epistemology Normative,” Kentucky Philosophical Association, November 22, 1997, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY.

“The Role of the Intellectual in a Critical Theory of Society,” Third Annual Pedagogy of The Oppressed Conference, April 17 - 19, 1997, Omaha, NE.

“Max Horkheimer on the Limits of Theory: A Historical Answer for Philosophy Today,” Second Annual Philosophy Graduate Student Conference, DePaul University, May 18, 1996, Chicago, IL.

“Imaginative Engagement: Marcuse and Foucault on Becoming What We Aren’t,” Third Annual Kent State University May 4th Philosophy Graduate Student Conference, April 27, 1996, Kent, OH.

“The Market and Choice in Ronald Dworkin’s Egalitarianism,” The Southern Society for Philosophy and Psychology, April 4 - 6, 1996, Nashville, TN.

“Reconsidering the Social Influences on Economic Choices,” Kentucky Philosophical Association, November 18, 1995, Louisville, KY.


Academic Panels

ISME Satellite Session at the ACPA, Baltimore, MD. Nov. 6-7, 2010. Co-organizer with Greg Beabout and Christopher Lutz.

Panel on Benedict XVI’s Caritas in Veritate, ISME Fourth International Conference, Mykolis Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania, 29 July – 1 August, 2010. Organizer and Discussant.

Panel on Alasdair MacIntyre’s God, Philosophy, and Universities, ISME Fourth International Conference, Mykolis Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania, 29 July – 1 August, 2010. Organizer and Discussant.

Panel on Habermas’ Inclusion of the Other, Society for Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy, October 7 - 9, 1999, Eugene, OR. Organizer and Presenter.

Intellectuals and Critical Education, Third Annual Pedagogy of The Oppressed Conference, April 17 - 19, 1997, Omaha, NE. Organizer and Presenter


General (non-Academic) Presentations

Benedict XVI’s Caritas in Veritate Part 2, St. Paul’s Parish, Silverton, OR. April 21st, 2010

Benedict XVI’s Caritas in Veritate Part 1, St. Paul’s Parish, Silverton, OR. April 14th, 2010

Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and Catholicism, St. Paul’s Parish, Silverton, OR. March 15th, 2009.


GRANTS AND AWARDS:

Visiting Distinguished Lecturer Grant, awarded to 2% of Ph.D.s per year from the University of
Kentucky Graduate School, to invite David Ingram of Loyola University of Chicago to participate in my dissertation defense and deliver a lecture, Spring 2002.

American Philosophical Association/ American Association of Philosophy Teachers/ Campus
Compact Grant for Service-Learning Workshop: competitive grant to support participation in a workshop on service learning in philosophy held in conjunction with the annual AAPT conference, July-August 2002.

Commonwealth Research Awards, highly competitive grant offered, at most, once per
department per year. University of Kentucky Graduate School; to support paper presentations at the Pacific APA (2000) and SPEP (1999).

Pew Younger Scholar, Summer 1999, attending a seminar with Prof. Nicholas Wolterstorff on
“Foundationalism in Politics, Liberalism, Natural Law Theory and the Pluralist Alternative,” at St. Edward’s College, Austin, TX.

Graduate Symposium Funds: principal author of an internal competitive grant in support of the
Second Annual UK-PGSA Philosophy Graduate Student Conference, March 6, 1999.

Visiting Distinguished Scholar: principal author of a one-time only competitive grant to bring a
distinguished scholar to the university, in support of the First Annual UK-PGSA Philosophy Graduate Student Conference, April 11, 1998.

Travel Stipends: UK Graduate School 1997, 1996.


Positions:

Mt Angel Seminary, Associate Professor 2005—current
Courses Taught
Philosophy of Being x3
Ancient Philosophy
Medieval Philosophy
Modern Philosophy x2
Philosophy Since 1800
Moral Philosophy x3
Philosophy of Human Nature x5
Logic
Philosophy and Pop Culture: Tolkien and Lewis
Philosophy and Pop Culture: Dystopian Literature x2
Epistemology x2
Political Philosophy x2
Humanities 1 x2
Humanities 2 x2

CASEP – London Metropolitan University, Research Member, 2009-current

Villanova University, Catherine of Sienna Teaching Fellow, 2002 – 2005
Courses Taught
Ethical Traditions and Contemporary Life x21
Ethical Traditions and Contemporary Life – Service Learning
Ethical Traditions and Contemporary Life – Distance Learning
Introduction to Philosophy x2
Social and Political Philosophy

Transylvania University, Adjunct Professor, 2001 – 2002
Courses Taught
Foundations of Liberal Arts I
Foundations of Liberal Arts II
Introduction to Philosophy

Eastern Kentucky University, Part Time Instructor, 2002
Courses Taught
Philosophy of Religion

Thomas More College, Part Time Instructor 2000 – 2002
Courses Taught
Business Ethics
Philosophy of Human Nature

University of Kentucky, Teaching Assistant, 1995 – 2002
Courses Taught
Introduction to Moral Philosophy
Professional Ethics
Health Care Ethics
Philosophy of Human Nature
Introduction to Philosophy
Death and Dying and the Quality of Life
Introductory Logic

LANGUAGES: Reading Competency: German, Latin

SERVICE:
Mt. Angel Seminary
Capstone Committee, member, 2005-present
Special Committee on Capstone Art Projects 2010-2011
Abbot’s Taskforce on Faculty Salary and Benefits 2008-2009
Curriculum Committee, 2006-2007
Chair, Athletics Committee 2005-2006
Capstone Director
Matt Henry: The Meaning of Being in the History of Metaphysics
Mathew Libra: John Paul Sartre and John Paul II on Love
Brad Lawrence: The Natural Law Basis of Civil Law
Br. Manuel Rosiles: Catholic Social Teaching and Immigration


Professional

Executive Secretary – International Society for MacIntyrean Enquiry 2007- current
Web Designer – International Society for MacIntyrean Enquiry 2008- current
Editorial Board – Philosophy and Pop Culture Journal 2009-current

Lucky Lab Science Fiction and Fantasy Critique Group 2009- current
Initial Reader, Endeavor Awards – 2008 -- current

Community
St. Paul’s Social Justice Committee 2008- current
Special Committee on Unnatural Causes, Summer and Fall 2010.

Professional Affiliations:
American Philosophical Association
American Catholic Philosophical Association
American Association of Philosophy Teachers
Feminist Ethics and Social Theory
International Social Theory Consortium
International Society for MacIntyrean Enquiry
North American Society for Social Philosophy
Radical Philosophy Association
Willamette Writer’s


Professional Development
Catholic Social Teaching and Economic Justice, Curriculum Workshop, Villanova
University, June 2003.
American Philosophical Association/ American Association of Philosophy Teachers Service
Learning Workshop
Learning Technologies
Micro-soft Power Point Introduction
Micro-soft Front Page Introduction and Advance (web tool)
E-learning: Adding Streaming Media
E-learning: Creative Course Content

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