Philosophy deals with the
big questions people all too often
fail to ask. What is the meaning of life? What are the values human
beings should embrace? Does beauty offer us a glimpse of eternity?
My own interest in philosophy began through religion. I could not
understand how an all-powerful God could allow so much suffering
in
the world. Through philosophy, I ultimately came to the conclusion
that the traditional idea of God involved too many inconsistencies.
But I have yet to come up with a completely satisfactory solution
to
the riddle of life (perhaps this is how it should be). To me,
Nietzsche and Bataille offer the most promising possibilities. Both
insist that conventional beliefs make us slaves to imaginary ideals.
In truth, Nietzsche and Bataille are a continuation of the dangerous
tradition of philosophy: they ask us to question the fundamental
assumptions we ordinarily take for granted.
I received my Ph.D. in philosophy from Penn State University
in 1999. For the last seven years, I have been teaching philosophy
and humanities full-time at Wright College in Chicago. I am very
happy to be joining the Oakton family in the fall of 2006. At Wright,
I have taught classes in general humanities, introductory philosophy,
logic, ethics, political philosophy, and the philosophy of world
religions. I plan on continuing to teach these courses at Oakton,
as
well as expanding my course offerings and exploring new avenues
of
instruction (such as tandem teaching). I have always believed that
philosophy is more than a field of study: it is a way of life. As
such, I find philosophical relevance in every aspect of experience,
from classical literature to popular culture. I hope to communicate
the importance of philosophy to my students at Oakton.
I grew up in Chicago, and feel lucky to be able to do what I
love in my hometown. I am the proud parent of a one-year old girl
and
newborn boy, and I find that changing diapers helps me to remain
grounded in the real world—sometimes a welcome contrast to
the lofty heights of philosophical reflection. Although being a
parent takes up most of my free time, I still manage to follow my
beloved White Sox. In fact, I find that the most significant philosophical
truths are
reflected in the game of baseball: there is a rhythm to the universe
that it is impossible to resist; the smallest details will invariably
cascade into something much larger; and there will always be another
game to play tomorrow.
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