Department of Philosophy
Postdoc, Princeton University/University of St. Andrews (UK)
PhD, Laval University
MA, Laval University
BPhil, Laval University
Biography
My principal area of interest is the Greek philosophical tradition, (the Pre-Socratic philosophers, Plato, and Aristotle), as well as those later thinkers, such as St. Thomas Aquinas, who contributed to the understanding and transmission of this tradition. I am especially fond of logic, which I teach regularly, and which I consider to be an indispensable part of a university education. My research during the next years will be focused on natural philosophy. In our society, dominated by the experimental sciences, it is crucial to explain and make known the specificity of a philosophical approach to the study of nature. Further, because of my teaching obligations since coming to St. Jerome’s University, I have developed a considerable interest in the philosophy of law.
Research interests: Plato, Aristotle, Ancient Greek Philosophy, Thomas Aquinas, Medieval philosophy, Ethics, Aristotelian Logic, Informal Logic, Philosophy of Law
Publications
The content that follows may only represent a portion of the Faculty member’s work.
Articles
‘Aristotle’s Conception of Natural Slavery’, Peripatetikos #7, 2012, p. 113-116.
’Punishment: Aquinas and The Classical Debate’, Angelicum 86, 2009, p. 375-398.
‘Aristotle and the Hypothetical-Experimental Method in Natural Philosophy’, Peripatetikos #6, 2006, p. 27-57.
‘Can Aristotle’s Women be Philosophers?’, Peripatetikos #5, 2005, p. 7-19.
‘The Four Tools of Dialectic: Their Nature and their Use in Metaphysics ix, Ancient Philosophy 21, 2001, Mathesis Publications, p. 403-443.
‘Les instruments dialectiques: leur nature et leur usage dans la Metaphysique Theta’, Actes XXVIIe Congres des Societes de Philosophie de Langue Française: La Metaphysique, Vrin, Paris, 1998, p 26-35.
Courses taught
PHIL 100J: Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 118J: Virtue and the Good Life
PHIL 145: Critical Thinking
PHIL 200J: Aristotelian Logic
PHIL 218J: Foundations of Ethics
PHIL 220J/CLAS 220: Philosophy of Friendship
PHIL 305J: Natural Philosophy
PHIL 327/LS 351: Philosophy of Law
PHIL 403/CLAS 461: Studies in Ancient Philosophy
Grants, fellowships and awards
Fellowships
Postdoctoral Scholarship, (SSHRC) Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada: (1999)
Professional, administrative and community service
The content that follows may only represent a portion of the Faculty member’s work.
Professional
Treasurer (2014-present) and Vice president (2017-present) of the Society for Aristotelian-Thomistic Studies
Administrative
SJU Research and Scholarship Committee (2008; 2017-present)
SJU Senate Council Nominating Committee for Honorary Degrees (2014-present)
SJU Reads (2013)
SJU Library Committee (2003-2008)
SJU representant on OCUFA’s ad hoc Committee on Contract Faculty and Faculty Complement (2016-present)
Legal Studies and Criminology Advisory Board (2007-2010)
UW Examinations and Standing Committee (2014-2016)
UW Pascal Lectures Committee (2005-2014)
UW Senate Undergraduate Council (2006-2008)