APA Members Interview, Edward DeLaquil

Edward DeLaquil is affiliated with the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at NTNU—Norwegian University of Science and Technology. After completing his PhD at the University of Edinburgh, his first role was as a member of the Department of Philosophy at Trinity College, Dublin.

Edward DeLaquil


What excites you about philosophy?

There is something stimulating about the perennial questions of philosophy, such as, what is good (and evil)? What is truth? What are the limitations of human knowledge? And how do we communicate with each other? My understanding of these questions has been shaped by multidisciplinary background in psychology, literature, religious studies, theology, and philosophy. It is philosophy that provides the space and theoretical tools for me to reflect on these questions in light of practical insights from various disciplines. With my background, I was very fortunate to find a supportive environment for my doctoral research with Mark Harris and the science and religion group at The University of Edinburgh. A couple useful introductions to this research area are Religion and Science (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) and Theology meets philosophy of science | Religious Studies | Cambridge Core.

What are you working on right now?

In my dissertation research, I asked how it might be possible to understand the truth of claims in the sciences as well as in religion. My answer was a signpost theory of truth: By what measure? A signpost theory of the truth of doctrine | Religious Studies | Cambridge Core & John Henry Newman on the presence of God in the Eucharist; an inspiration for reflecting on the truth of dogma—DeLaquil—2023—The Heythrop Journal. Obviously, any attempt to explain the truth of claims or articulate a theory of truth is (and, most likely, will always be) a work in progress.

Currently, I am working on an approach to the construction, use, and judgment of religious representation (art, architecture, etc.). Based on a bildtheorie from philosophy of science, I think that a bildtheorie of religious representation might provide some insights into how we depict different aspects of human experience in the context of religious life and practice. Hopefully, a bildtheorie of religious representation can complement examinations of religious language.   

What common philosophical dilemma do you think has a clear answer?

Is this a trick question?

What are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?  

Recently, I read The Goldfinch by Donna Tart and A Fugue in Time by Rumor Godden. Right now, I’m reading More Work for the Undertaker by Margery Allingham. It is a classic murder-mystery from 1948. I would recommend pretty much all of Margery Allingham’s works to anyone vaguely interested in detective fiction—I would highly recommend the mystery books by Josephine Tey.

Which books have changed your life? In what ways?  

Good books have accompanied me throughout life and have helped me grow or simply cope with difficult challenges. Just as one example, Muriel Spark’s books helped keep me sane during the pandemic in Edinburgh.

Just off the top of my head, a few philosophical books that have significantly influenced my thinking and research interests are Aquinas’s Summa Theologiae; Anscombe’s Intention; Ayer’s Language, Truth, and Logic; Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations; Newman’s An essay in aid of a grammar of assent; and van Fraassen’s The empirical stance.

What time of day are you most productive and creative?

One retired professor told me that he would write every morning and go for a run every afternoon. While I’m attracted to that type of stability, I’ve found that early career researchers have a much harder time having a consistent schedule. Doing a PhD during the pandemic was difficult but it was an opportunity to reflect on my daily routine. I realized that it was such a relief to be in contact with family and friends as well as to able to walk the Braid Hills, Aruthur’s Seat, or even just around the Meadows every day. Wherever I’m living and whatever my schedule happens to be, I hope I will remember to always prioritize people and to spend time outside every day. 

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.

Jessica Castellani

Jessica Castellani had a unique high school experience attending Toledo School for the Arts, where she played in a percussion ensemble and steel drum band for six years. She earned her dual Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and religious studies from the University of Toledo. Her primary focus was “the Self” and the mystical experience of losing it. She earned her Master of Arts in philosophy from The University of Toledo as well, with a specialization in comparative philosophy, Eastern studies, and continental philosophy. She has taught World Religions and Introduction to Philosophy at The University of Toledo both in person and virtually. She is a member of the Buddhist Temple of Toledo, tutors students, and has worked in the service industry for over a decade. In her free time, she likes to spend time outside and with her pets, friends, and family.