Professor Jamie Phillips received a PhD with Honors from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1999. He has been working at Clarion University of Pennsylvania ever since teaching primarily Epistemology, Philosophy of Science, and Philosophy of Mind.
What excites you about philosophy?
At a very early age, probably 10 or 11, I became determined to understand the fundamental nature of absolutely everything! I had no idea at this time what philosophy was or that it even existed, so I spent most of my formative years, and even my undergraduate years, focused on the only discipline that seemed to provide me with deep understanding — History. When I had my first philosophy class, though, everything changed and I realized philosophy was my best hope for achieving my incredibly ambitious goal. Even now, as a much older human being, who has settled for just trying to understand the fundamental nature of something, anything! I still get a deep academic thrill when I encounter good philosophy that clarifies to me an aspect of the universe that was previously occluded. And, when I see this happen to my students — this moment of magical philosophical epiphany — it is as exciting to me as it is to them. This is what keeps philosophy fresh and wonderful in my life.
What are you working on right now?
I am attempting to achieve the goals of public philosophy by demonstrating the practical salience of philosophy to all areas of public discourse. In my spare time, such as it is, I use my public Facebook account, and occasionally YouTube, as mediums for sharing my philosophical posts, my philosophically informed memes and videos, and my individual responses to philosophical queries from the public, as a means by which to promulgate philosophical ideas, schools of thought, and arguments, and to personally demonstrate how a rational and civil discussion of deep and tendentious issues can take place even within social media. I am also continuing my work in public philosophy via my service on the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors — the first faculty member in its 36-year history to have a seat on the board — in order to demonstrate how philosophical analysis, logic, and rational objectivity can be relevant to informing good educational policy.
What common philosophical dilemma do you think has a clear answer?
I think that various global skeptical theories can be rationally rejected by demonstrating that, just like their conspiracy theory counterparts, they are not epistemically progressive. Thus, even if these theories are empirically adequate, their reliance on ad hoc and independently unjustified auxiliary hypotheses, always makes them less rationally preferable to their ‘real-world’ rivals. I wrote and presented a paper on this called Epistemic Progressivism, but I have not yet prepared it for publication.
What’s your personal philosophy?
Human values are created by us. They are not simply found in reality. So, if you want to see a fair world, a just world, to witness courage, and decency, and kindness, then you are the one that has to make these values appear in the world through your actions. I personally strive to live this virtuous kind of life and to set an example for others in doing so.
Which books have changed your life? In what ways?
“The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien. I was very poor growing up in Missouri, but when I was 9 my family moved to a small town with a library. I found “The Lord of the Rings” there and when I read it, it set my mind on fire. I immediately re-read it, and then re-read it again, and then went on a search for more books, always trying to find something that would let me re-experience that potent literary hit. Nothing ever really did, but after devouring hundreds and hundreds of books, my brain eventually rewired itself in a way that allowed me to be able to read pretty much anything with some level of understanding. This ability, in turn, made college a possibility for me when it otherwise would not have been.
Who is your favorite philosopher and why?
Aristotle. He is honest, and careful, and he saw deeply into the nature of human beings qua social animals. He recognized that one of the keys to human happiness is to have deep and long-lasting friendships and this is a lesson I teach to every human being I meet, so they also have a chance of being genuinely happy.
If you were a brick in the wall which brick would you be?
I would like to be the absolutely bottom-most brick, so impressed into the ground from the weight of the rest of the bricks, that it is no longer visible. Yet even gone from view, this brick helps support the rest of the bricks so they can have a place in the wall too.
This section of the APA Blog is designed to get to know our fellow philosophers a little better. We’re including profiles of APA members that spotlight what captures their interest not only inside the office, but also outside of it. We’d love for you to be a part of it, so please contact us via the interview nomination form here to nominate yourself or a friend.
Dr. Sabrina D. MisirHiralall is an editor at the Blog of the APA who currently teaches philosophy, religion, and education courses solely online for Montclair State University, Three Rivers Community College, and St. John’s University.
