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 enjoy hiking in Portland’s many forests, watching Bollywood movies, and cooking. I have been to India eight times, and I twice led the Overseas Program to India.

During my copious free time, when I’m not busy neglecting my duties, I enjoy watching Bollywood movies, cooking Indian food, going to bhangra dances, and worshiping murtis.

Academic Credentials

PhD 1991 Purdue University, BA 1977 Eastern Mennonite University

Teaching

Spring 2022 Courses:

PHIL 201: Philosophy of Religion
MWF 9:10-10:10am

Issues in classical and contemporary philosophical examinations of religion such as arguments for the existence of God, religious experience, religious faith, the problem of evil.

Prerequisites: None.

PHIL 303: 19th Century Philosophy
MWF 1:50-2:50pm

German Idealism: Kant, Fichte, Schelling, Hegel, as well as the reactions of philosophers such as Kierkegaard, Schopenhauer, Marx and Nietzsche.

Prerequisites: Any 100 or 200 level philosophy course or consent of instructor.

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.