J.M. Fritzman

“Philosophy is always one generation from dying. Students allow philosophy to continue. For that, teachers of philosophy owe them an unrepayable and immeasurable debt of gratitude. Studying philosophy is never easy. It is, however, usually pleasant. Teaching philosophy is always a joy.”

I’ve published several articles on Indian philosophy and a book on the German philosopher Hegel. I cook Indian cuisine, mostly Punjabi, as well as Italian, Sri Lankan, and Thai. I’ve been to India eight times. I led the Overseas Program to India twice. I’ve seen more than 300 Bollywood films. I once had five cats.

Academic Credentials

PhD 1991 Purdue University, BA 1977 Eastern Mennonite University

Teaching

Fall 2024 Courses:

PHIL 207: Indian Philosophy
MWF 12:40PM - 01:40PM

Survey of India’s classical philosophies as well as introductions to the Vedas, the Upanishads, Carvaka, Jainism, Buddhism, and recent Indian philosophers.

Prerequisites: None.

PHIL 302: Early Modern Philosophy
MWF 9:10am - 10:10am

Development of modern ideas in the historical context of 17th- and 18th-century Europe: reason, mind, perception, nature, the individual, scientific knowledge. Reading, discussing, and writing about the works of Descartes, Leibniz, Spinoza, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Reid, Kant.

Prerequisites: Any 100- or 200-level philosophy course. Sophomore standing required.

Research

I graduated with a PhD in philosophy from Purdue University in 1991. My research interests are in German Idealism, Indian Philosophy, and the Philosophy of Mind. I have published numerous articles in a wide range of journals. My book on Hegel (Polity Press) was published in 2014. I’m writing a book on cosmopsychism.