Aaron Preston, Ph

Aaron Preston, Ph

Department of Philosophy

ValparaisoUniversity

Valparaiso, IN46385

Aaron Preston

Curriculum Vitae

O: 219-464-5240

H: 219-707-5696

Aaron PrestonPage

Professional Experience

2007-presentAssociate Professor of Philosophy (tenured), ValparaisoUniversity

2007-presentChair, Department of Philosophy, ValparaisoUniversity

2006-2007 Associate Professor of Philosophy (tenured), MaloneCollege

2006-2007Adjunct Instructor of Philosophy, WalshUniversity

2001-2006 Assistant Professor of Philosophy (tenure track), MaloneCollege

1997-2001Teaching Assistant, University of Southern California

Education

1997-2002Ph.D., Philosophy, University of Southern California

Dissertation: Early Analytic Philosophy: The History of an Illusion

Committee: Dallas Willard (Chair), John Dreher, Walter Fisher

1996-1997M.Th., Systematic Theology, University of Edinburgh

Thesis: Person, Knowledge, and God: A Critique of the Classical Concept of God with Implications for Natural Theology

Supervisor: Gary Badcock

1991-1995B.A., Classics and Philosophy, University of Southern California

Departmental Honors in Philosophy

Honors Thesis: The Plausibility of Mental Substance

Supervisor: Dallas Willard

Areas of Specialization

History of Analytic Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion,Moral Philosophy

Areas of Competence

History of Philosophy, Metaphysics and Epistemology, Philosophy of Mind

Language Competencies

Greek, Latin, French

Scholarship

Book

  1. Analytic Philosophy: The History of an Illusion, London and New York: Continuum, 2007. Reissued in paperback, 2010. Reviewed in: NDPR, Philosophy in Review, History of European Ideas, Philosophical Investigations.

Articles

  1. “David Hume’s Treatment of Mind,” Proceedings of the Twentieth World Congress of Philosophy:Paideia Project, online papers archive, 1998. (3,800 words)
  2. “Susan Hahn’s Organic Holism and Living Concepts,” Proceedings of the Ohio Philosophical Association, vol. 1, 2004. (4,000 words)
  3. “Prolegomena to Any Future History of Analytic Philosophy,” Metaphilosophy, 35:4, July 2004, 445-465. (8,700 words)
  4. “Conformism in Analytic Philosophy: On Shaping Philosophical Boundaries and Prejudices,” The Monist, 88:2, April 2005. (11,500 words)
  5. “Quality Instances and the Structure of the Concrete Particular,” Axiomathes 15:2, June 2005, 267-292. (10,500 words)
  6. “The Implications of Recent Work on the History of Analytic Philosophy,” Bertrand Russell Society Quarterly, no. 127, August 2005, 11-30. (7,400 words)
  7. “G.E. Moore”, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, first published Jan. 2006, (13,700 words)
  8. “Analytic Philosophy”, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, first published March 2006, (14,400 words)
  9. “Reply to Beaney”Bertrand Russell Society Quarterly, no. 132-135, 2006-07, 35-43. (3,400 words)
  10. “Reply to Pincock and Hardcastle”, Bertrand Russell Society Quarterly, no. 136-139, 2007-08, 48-55. (3,058 words)
  11. “Comments on Dallas Willard’s Knowing Christ Today: Why We Can Trust Spiritual Knowledge”, Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, 2:2, Spring 2009, 265-272. (3,846 words)
  12. “Epistemic Rights vs. Epistemic Duties”, with David Entwistle, Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 29:1, 2010, 27-32.
  13. “Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right: Thoughts on Glock’s What is Analytic Philosophy?”, forthcoming in Teorema.
  14. “Redeeming Moral Formation: The Unity of Moral and Spiritual Formation in Willardian Thought”, forthcoming inJournal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. (11,140 words)

Shorter Pieces

  1. “Apostles (Cambridge)”, Encyclopedia of British Philosophy, A.C. Grayling, Andrew Pyle, and Naomi Goulder eds., Thoemmes Continuum, 2006. (4,800 words)
  2. “Aristotelian Society”, Encyclopedia of British Philosophy, A.C. Grayling, Andrew Pyle, and Naomi Goulder eds., Thoemmes Continuum, 2006. (600 words)
  3. “Mind Association”, Encyclopedia of British Philosophy, A.C. Grayling, Andrew Pyle, and Naomi Goulder eds., Thoemmes Continuum, 2006. (800 words)
  4. “Positivism”, Encyclopedia of British Philosophy, A.C. Grayling, Andrew Pyle, and Naomi Goulder eds., Thoemmes Continuum, 2006.(3,600 words)

Discussions of My Work

  1. Michael Beaney (University of York, UK), “Is Analytic Philosophy an Illusion? A Reply to Preston”, Bertrand Russell Society Quarterly, no. 132-135, 2006-07, 27-34.
  2. Christopher Pincock (Purdue University, IN), “Preston on the Illusory Character of Analytic Philosophy”, Bertrand Russell Society Quarterly, no. 136-139, 2007-08, 40-47.
  3. Gary Hardcastle (Bloomsburg University, PA), “Preston on Analytic Philosophy”, Bertrand Russell Society Quarterly, no. 136-139, 2007-08, 35-40.
  4. Richard Brian Davis and David S. Brown (Tyndale University, Canada), “A Puzzle for Particulars?”, Axiomathes, 18:1, 2008, 49-65.
  5. Hans-Johann Glock, What is Analytic Philosophy? Cambridge and New York: CambridgeUniversity Press, 2008.

Work in Progress

  1. Plato and Personal Freedom: a Preface to Plato’s Political Philosophy. (academic book)
  2. Grace and the Game of Life. (popular book)
  3. Generational Trends as Confounding Variables in Situationist Character Research. (article)
  4. What is a School of Philosophy? (article)
  5. Analytic Philosophy and the Professionalization of Philosophy. (article)
  6. On the Rapproachement between Analytic and Christian Philosophy. (article)

Conference Presentations and Academic Lectures

  1. “Introduction to Aristotle’s Ethics”, plenary lecture for the Christ College Freshman Program, ValparaisoUniversity, September 2010.
  2. “The Good, the Bad, and the Monumentally Unfortunate: Augustine’s Moral Theory”, plenary lecture for the Christ College Freshman Program, ValparaisoUniversity, November 2009.
  3. “How Scientism Unifies the Analytic Tradition”, PurdueUniversity, March 2008.
  4. “Metaphysics and Metaphilosophy,” National Faculty Leadership Conference, AlexandriaVA, June 2006.
  5. “Scientism and the Emergence of Analytic Philosophy,” History of Early Analytic Philosophy Society session, APA-Central Division Meeting, ChicagoIL, April 2006.
  6. “What the History of the Historiography of Analytic Philosophy Teaches Us about Historiography, Philosophy, and Analytic Philosophy,” British Society for the History of Philosophy conference on Philosophy and Historiography, Robinson College, Cambridge University (UK), April 2006.
  7. “The Great Historiographical Fact: Why the Overlapping Consensus Model Fails.”Response to Christopher Pincock's “An Overlapping Consensus Model of the Origins of Analytic Philosophy”, History of Early Analytic Philosophy Society session, APA-Eastern Division Meeting, New York City NY, December 2005.
  8. “Current Work on the History and Nature of Analytic Philosophy,” Bertrand Russell Society/History of Early Analytic Philosophy Society joint session, APA-Central Division Meeting, ChicagoIL, April 2005.
  9. “Comments on Susan Hahn’s Organic Holism and Living Concepts,” Ohio Philosophical Association Annual Conference, KentStateUniversity, April 2004.
  10. “Quality Instances and the Structure of the Concrete Particular,” Society of Christian Philosophers Eastern Region Conference, MessiahCollege, November 2002.
  11. “Husserl's Ontology of Immediate Experience,” Society of Christian Philosophers Eastern Region Conference, MessiahCollege, November 2002.
  12. “Husserl's Ontology of Immediate Experience,” Metaphysical Society of America Annual Conference, Santa ClaraUniversity, March 2002.
  13. “Prolegomena to Any Future History of Analytic Philosophy,” USC Graduate Philosophy Group, May, 2001.
  14. “Virtue Ethics and the Good,” Metaphysical Society of America Annual Conference, Carlisle PA, March 2000 (Runner-up for the Metaphysical Society’s Aristotle Prize in Metaphysics).
  15. “The Concept of Concept,” Southern California Philosophy Conference, IrvineCA, October 1999.
  16. “David Hume’s Treatment of Mind,” Twentieth World Congress of Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind Section, BostonMA, August 1998.

Courses Taught

At ValparaisoUniversity

  • HUM 115: Texts and Contexts I and II(ChristCollege Freshman Program)
  • PHIL 115: Experience and Existence (online and classroom formats)
  • PHIL 125: The Good Life
  • PHIL 130: Death and Immortality (online and classroom formats)
  • PHIL 275: Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
  • PHIL 280: Modern Philosophy
  • PHIL 290: Special Topics - The Seven Deadly Sins
  • PHIL 330: Philosophy of Religion
  • PHIL 335: Ethical Theory
  • PHIL 425: Advanced Topics
  • God and Goodness
  • Moral Realism in Philosophy, Law and Government
  • LS 655: Professional Ethics in the Global Community
  • Independent Studies Supervised:
  • Samuel Berkshire: Revelation (S 2010)
  • Honors Theses Supervised:
  • Nathanael Romero: Empathy (2007-08)

At MaloneCollege

  • PHIL 100: Introduction to Philosophy (online and writing-intensive versions)
  • PHIL 210: Critical and Creative Thinking
  • PHIL 242: Philosophy of Human Nature
  • PHIL 342: Epistemology
  • PHIL 351: Ancient Philosophy
  • PHIL 353: Modern Philosophy
  • HUM 370: Honors Seminar: Death and Immortality
  • PHIL 401: Contemporary Philosophical Trends
  • Death and Immortality
  • Divine Foreknowledge and Human Freedom
  • PHIL 450: Advanced Topics (Directed Research)
  • CM 550: Advanced Topics (Directed Research)
  • CM 601: Christian Perspectives on Contemporary Ethical Issues

At WalshUniversity

  • PHIL 203: Moral Philosophy

At the University of Southern California (as Teaching Assistant)

  • PHIL 101: Greek Society and Culture
  • ARLT 101: The Professions and the Public Interest in American Life
  • ARLT 101: Death and Immortality
  • PHIL 220: Religion, Science, and the Making of the Modern Mind
  • PHIL 262: Mind and Self: Modern Conceptions

Professional Development

CCCU Disciplinary Workshop in Philosophy: “Christian Philosophy Today.” CalvinCollege. July 11-15, 2005. Conveners: C. Stephen Evans, Eleonore Stump, Michael Bergmann, Kelly Clark.

CalvinCollege Summer Seminars in Christian Scholarship: “The Seven Deadly Sins (Capital Vices) in the Christian Tradition.”CalvinCollege. June 21-July 2, 2010. Directors: Rebecca DeYoung, Robert Kruschwitz.

Professional Memberships

American Philosophical Association, Society of Christian Philosophers, History of Early Analytic Philosophy Society, Indiana Philosophical Association, Metaphysical Society of America (2000-2003), Ohio Philosophical Association (2001-07), British Society for the History of Philosophy (2003-2007).

Service

To the Profession

  • Consultant for: OxfordUniversity Press, Broadview Press
  • Referee for: Inquiry, History of Political Thought
  • History of Analytic Philosophy area-editor for the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

To MaloneCollege

  • Faculty Advisor to the Undergraduate Philosophy Club (2001-04)
  • Scholar’s Day: Scholarship-Candidate Interviewer (2001, 02, 03, 04)
  • Faculty Secretary (2002-03)
  • Honors Committee (2002-05)
  • Honors Program Director (Interim, Fall 2003)
  • Curriculum Committee (2003-06)
  • Secretary (Spring 2004)
  • Chair (2004-05)
  • Selection Committee for Board of Regents Professional Fellowship (Spring 2003)
  • Selection Committee for Gene Collins Old Testament Scholarship (Outside Reader) (Spring 2003)
  • Graduate Counseling Curriculum Committee (Spring 2004)
  • MaloneCollegeFaculty Retreat: Small Group Leader (Fall 2002)
  • MaloneCollege Faculty Winter Retreat: Presenter (Fall 2002)
  • MaloneCollege Worldview Forum: Moderator (“Does God Exist?” Spring 2004)
  • Third-Year Faculty Review Committees:
  • Lora Wyss (2003-04)
  • Christopher Carmichael (Chair, 2004-05)
  • First-Year Faculty Mentor:
  • Jason Stahl(2004-05)
  • Honors Thesis Examination Committees:
  • Emily Weidenhammer (Fall 2003)

To ValparaisoUniversity

  • Undergraduate Research Advisory Committee (2007-08)
  • College of Arts and Sciences Council of Department Chairs (2007-present)
  • College of Arts and Sciences Council of Department Chairs Executive Committee (2008-present)
  • Chair, Department of Philosophy (2007-present)
  • Organized Lecture by John Hare (2008-09)
  • Department of Philosophy Assessment Committee (2007- present)
  • CASTenure and Promotion Committee (2009-10)
  • University Committee on Assessment (2009-present)

Awards

  • Runner-up, Metaphysical Society of America Aristotle Prize in Metaphysics (2000)
  • MaloneCollege Faculty Summer Research Grant (2002, 2003, 2005)
  • MaloneCollege Outstanding Faculty Award for Scholarship (2007)
  • Valparaiso University Faculty Summer Research grant (2008)

Aaron PrestonPage

References

Current Colleagues

Sandra Visser, Ph.D

Associate Professor of Philosophy, ValparaisoUniversity, 219-464-6959,

LarryBaas,Ph.D.

Professor and Chair of Political Science, ValparaisoUniversity, 219-464-5266,

Former Colleagues

Peter Koritansky, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Philosophy, University of Prince Edward Island, 902-566-0978,

Shawn Floyd, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Philosophy, MaloneCollege, 330-471-8561,

Jeffery Polet, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Chair of Political Science, HopeCollege, 616-395-7547,

Former Profs

Dallas Willard, Ph.D.

Professor of Philosophy, University of Southern California, 213-740-5181,

Kevin Robb, Ph.D.

Professor of Philosophy, University of Southern California, 213-740-5171,

Aaron PrestonPage

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