William Behun received a Ph.D. from De Paul University in Chicago in 2006, where he focused on Philosophy of History and German Idealism. Since then he has taught at a wide variety of institutions, ranging from Big Ten Universities to small community colleges. He currently teaches at McHenry County College in Illinois.
What excites you about philosophy?
I continue to be thrilled by the possibility of reaching students who may have otherwise never found their love of philosophy. This is especially rewarding at the community college level. If you had told me, ten years ago when I was teaching at Penn State, that I would be teaching at a two-year college, I would have been dismissive to the point of rudeness. Since then my prejudices about community college students have been entirely overturned, and I have become a vocal advocate for philosophy at the junior college level, and served on the APA Committee for Philosophy in Two Year Colleges. I have found my students at MCC and similar schools to be enthusiastic, eager, and insightful. Though it may be a cliché, I believe I’ve learned a great deal more from them than they have from me.
What are you working on right now?
I keep coming back to Schelling’s essay on “The Deities of Samothrace.” Every time I reread it I see new connections, and I’m still trying to wrap my mind around its speculative theology, and the way that it connects with the whole idea of initiation into the mysteries. Ultimately I think that philosophy is nothing other than initiation; it promises us the possibility of becoming part of something that is itself eternal and immortal.
Name a trait, skill or characteristic that you have that others may not know about.
I suffer from narcolepsy, which has required me to adapt the way that I work in sometimes bizarre ways. When I sit down to read, I usually fall asleep within a few minutes. I’ll sleep for 15-20 minutes, and wake up refreshed. At that point, I’m able to really focus on what I’m reading. Rather than trying to fight this, I’ve simply adapted to it, and expect it whenever I’m reading.
What is your favorite holiday and why?
I don’t think I’ll ever lose my love of Christmastime. I always spend Christmas Eve with my family and I pull out all of the stops on dinner. Having that time together in midwinter fuels my spirit. Everything about the holiday, from decorating the house to the Liturgy of the Nativity fills me with joy.
What do you like to do outside work?
Whenever I have a chance, I indulge my hobby of homebrewing. Honestly, I think I like brewing beer more than drinking it, which I think works out fairly well for my colleagues.
What is your favorite book of all time? (Or top 3). Why? To whom would you recommend them?
The late Umberto Eco’s Baudolino draws together so many things that fascinate and inspire me. It is written with such grace, such unbridled joy, and such poignancy that it is one of the few books to which I return again and again. It includes one of my favourite lines in literature, “she covered her face with her hands, and Baudolino heard her murmur, stunned: ‘I have lost. … I have lost my apathy….’” I recommend it regularly to my students, my colleagues, and my friends.
What would your childhood self say if someone told you that you would grow up to be a philosopher?
“Duh.”
When did you last sing to yourself, or to someone else?
Pretty recently. I’m in the process of recording many of the songs I sang to my children when they were young, mostly English folks songs. These songs have such a profound meaning for me and for them; I think it’s an important thing for me to leave behind for them.
What’s your most treasured memory?
When I was living in central Pennsylvania, my kids would come to spend the summers with me. I had an easy teaching load, and got to spend so much time with them. We would sleep late, then go swimming or play in the park or wander around the Penn State Campus. I think those summers are among both my and their happiest times.
Where is your favorite place you have ever traveled and why?
I went to Essex to give a paper at a conference some years ago, and due to some peculiar circumstances, ended up “stuck” in the village of Wivenhoe for just under two weeks. It turned out to be one of the most delightful times I’ve spent in my life, not least because of the wonderful students at the University of Essex. I could easily see myself retiring there, assuming I ever get to retire.
What’s your favorite quote?
“The sin which is unpardonable is knowingly and wilfully to reject truth, to fear knowledge lest that knowledge pander not to thy prejudices.” Of all people in the world, it comes from Aleister Crowley.
What cause or charity do you care about most?
My late wife’s favourite places in the world were the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Art Institute of Chicago; we would go all the time, and they continue to be sources of inspiration and comfort, and I think that is an amazing thing to see these places devoted so entirely to beauty.
If you were an ice cream what flavor would you be?
I don’t know…battery acid, maybe?
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.
